as in supportive
serving to give support to the truth or factualness of something
scientists looking for direct supporting evidence of microscopic black holes, the existence of which is theoretical
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in advocating
to promote the interests or cause of
though childless themselves, they support the local schools both by volunteering and by fiercely opposing funding cuts
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in keeping
to pay the living expenses of
a young widow supporting a sick mother as well as two small children on a teacher's salary
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in sustaining
to hold up or serve as a foundation for
pillars supporting the bridge
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in reinforcing
to provide evidence or information for (as a claim or idea)
studies that support the claim that red wine drinkers have a reduced risk of coronary disease and cancer
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in defending
to continue to declare to be true or proper despite opposition or objections
we support the students' right to speak out on local issues that affect them
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in verifying
to give evidence or testimony to the truth or factualness of
new evidence supports the original researchers' unexpected conclusions
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
7
as in assisting
to provide (someone) with what is useful or necessary to achieve an end
sent reinforcements to support the troops deployed overseas
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
8
as in tolerating
to put up with (something painful or difficult)
he simply cannot support the thought of having to go on living without his beloved wife at his side
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of supporting
Ian O'Connor, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025
Sure, that was exacerbated, and to some degree directly caused, by the ample non-supporting cast around him, especially on the offensive line.
—Vahe Gregorian, Kansas City Star, 11 Sep. 2025
Radhika Seth, Vogue, 8 Mar. 2026
From cushioned walking sneakers to sleek slip-ons and foldable flats, the brand boasts arch-supporting insoles enhanced with anti-odor technology to keep feet feeling fresh and comfortable all day long.
—Sophie Dodd, Travel + Leisure, 8 Mar. 2026
In other words, caffeine provides an instant wake-up call, while the supporting players address longer-term concerns like discoloration, fine lines, and mild hollowness.
—Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 8 Mar. 2026
Organic fertilizers typically have lower NPK values, and their slow-release nature reduces the risk of plant burn, and fosters long-term plant health by improving soil structure, enhancing microbial activity and supporting water retention and aeration.
—Rita Perwich, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Mar. 2026
Eating the right amount of protein is essential for supporting your body's functions, including metabolism, immunity, and muscle health.
—Kirsten Nunez, Martha Stewart, 7 Mar. 2026
All three women were nominated for a slew of awards by various orgs, including Oscars noms for best adapted screenplay (Gyllenhaal), best actress (Colman) and best supporting actress (Buckley).
—Pamela McClintock, HollywoodReporter, 7 Mar. 2026
Thank you Chiefs kingdom for always supporting me and for everyone who has reached out and sent prayers.
—Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 7 Mar. 2026
Fortunately, today, Luna and Chiron are supporting your efforts to review boundaries, discuss shared bills, and generally keep the focus on fairness.
—Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 1 Mar. 2026
Adjective
Some went after Cashman, some after Boone, some after Steinbrenner’s son Hal, and some after Aaron Judge’s non-supporting cast.
—Ian O'Connor, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025
Sure, that was exacerbated, and to some degree directly caused, by the ample non-supporting cast around him, especially on the offensive line.
—Vahe Gregorian, Kansas City Star, 11 Sep. 2025
Verb
No, the actor, now 27 and recognized in the best supporting actress category for her sensitive turn in Joachim Trier’s Sentimental Value, has actually—wait for it—already been working for a quarter of a century.
—Radhika Seth, Vogue, 8 Mar. 2026
From cushioned walking sneakers to sleek slip-ons and foldable flats, the brand boasts arch-supporting insoles enhanced with anti-odor technology to keep feet feeling fresh and comfortable all day long.
—Sophie Dodd, Travel + Leisure, 8 Mar. 2026
In other words, caffeine provides an instant wake-up call, while the supporting players address longer-term concerns like discoloration, fine lines, and mild hollowness.
—Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 8 Mar. 2026
Organic fertilizers typically have lower NPK values, and their slow-release nature reduces the risk of plant burn, and fosters long-term plant health by improving soil structure, enhancing microbial activity and supporting water retention and aeration.
—Rita Perwich, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Mar. 2026
Eating the right amount of protein is essential for supporting your body's functions, including metabolism, immunity, and muscle health.
—Kirsten Nunez, Martha Stewart, 7 Mar. 2026
All three women were nominated for a slew of awards by various orgs, including Oscars noms for best adapted screenplay (Gyllenhaal), best actress (Colman) and best supporting actress (Buckley).
—Pamela McClintock, HollywoodReporter, 7 Mar. 2026
Thank you Chiefs kingdom for always supporting me and for everyone who has reached out and sent prayers.
—Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 7 Mar. 2026
Fortunately, today, Luna and Chiron are supporting your efforts to review boundaries, discuss shared bills, and generally keep the focus on fairness.
—Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 1 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for supporting
Adjective
-
That money narrows the massive fundraising and supportive expenditure lead Miller had, potentially forcing her and her allies to pivot from introducing her candidacy to countering Jackson.—
Jake Sheridan,
Chicago Tribune,
1 Mar. 2026
-
The chair backs are ergonomically molded with supportive armrests, and each one can be stacked for easy storage.—
Shea Simmons,
Southern Living,
1 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Those advocating a change don’t always have the same motivations.—
Bay Area News Group,
Mercury News,
4 Mar. 2026
-
Foushee has declined to go that far, advocating instead for ICE to be defunded and for broader reforms to the federal immigration system.—
Elena Moore,
NPR,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Everyone’s broken, so the collective strength of the cast in keeping us on our toes about where this is all headed is a huge plus.—
Robert Abele,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Mar. 2026
-
With so many players in the WBC, the Royals will be keeping a close eye on all the different games in pool play.—
Jaylon Thompson,
Kansas City Star,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
James did not play after sustaining a left elbow injury against the Nuggets.—
Broderick Turner,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Mar. 2026
-
In the labor movements of the thirties, the civil rights movement of the sixties, and the Grenadian revolution of 1979, the poem has always been a collaborator in the work of creating and sustaining movements.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
This demonstrates how thoughtful innovation can expand financial opportunity while reinforcing a healthier, more inclusive small business financing ecosystem for years to come.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
5 Mar. 2026
-
Meanwhile, Yasmin, Hayley, and Henry’s threesome is dangled as yet another piece of kompromat, reinforcing how intimacy in Industry is constantly converted into leverage.—
Jeff Ihaza,
Rolling Stone,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The Celtics went cold as the half wound down, scoring just five points in the final six minutes, and had trouble defending the full-speed Antetokounmpo drives that made up most of Milwaukee’s offense.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
3 Mar. 2026
-
Comedian Funches spent numerous episodes defending his honor as a faithful, as the other players nit-picked his actions and reserved demeanor.—
Tiney Ricciardi,
Denver Post,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The Audubon Society was the sole organization with a hydrologist on staff in Florida, but after CERP passed, the goal of most organizations working there shifted to verifying the accuracy of reports, data, and modeling.—
Michael Adno,
Rolling Stone,
3 Mar. 2026
-
But states first must update their online portals used by Medicaid participants, their aging computer systems used by state workers and their methods of verifying information through various databases.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
1 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
America is still assisting Ukraine significantly in other ways.—
Idrees Kahloon,
The Atlantic,
5 Mar. 2026
-
Plants that grew in simulant treated with AMF also had much greater dry shoot and root mass, suggesting that the presence of AMF was assisting with the growth of the plants.—
Keith Cooper,
Space.com,
5 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Supporting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/supporting. Accessed 9 Mar. 2026.
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