supporting 1 of 2

adjective

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

supporting

2 of 2

verb

present participle of support
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

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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

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3
as in sustaining
to hold up or serve as a foundation for pillars supporting the bridge

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of supporting
Adjective
The incredible supporting cast is made up entirely of old-hand character actors, promising but underknown newcomers, and comedy- or comedy-adjacent figures with passionate niche followings and Gumby-esque limbs. — Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 17 June 2026 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
There’s also evidence supporting some non-drug treatments for hot flashes, night sweats and sleep or mood problems, ACOG said. — Laura Ungar, Los Angeles Times, 3 Nov. 2026 Stanley said drivers and bus monitors play an especially important role in supporting students with disabilities, including those who use wheelchairs. — Jamal Goss, CBS News, 2 Nov. 2026 Antonelli enjoyed the kind of fiesta only Mexicans can throw, with the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez stadium section jam-packed with fans supporting the three champions, as well as local hero Checo Pérez, who finished his home race in 11th place. — Jerry Perez, The Drive, 2 Nov. 2026 All of the supporting characters are shrewdly cast and realized, whether Aiello’s nervous but persistent promoter or the superb Meredith’s weary, knowing cornerman. — Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 2 Nov. 2026 Varials released their fourth album, Where the Light Leaves, in 2026 and are currently on a North American run supporting Wage War. — Jessica Lynch, Billboard, 2 Nov. 2026 The federal body also became an official supporting partner of the festival. — Essie Assibu, Variety, 2 Nov. 2026 With roaring support from a packed crowd, Macklemore launched his Free Palestine Tour in Ireland’s capital Monday, just over a month after he was controversially dropped as Ed Sheeran’s supporting act. — Chantal Da Silva, NBC news, 27 Oct. 2026 For those with diabetes or prediabetes, supporting a steadier blood sugar response may matter even more. — Lauren Manaker Ms, HEALTH, 26 Oct. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for supporting
  1. supportive
  2. advocating
  3. keeping
  4. sustaining
  5. reinforcing
  6. defending
  7. verifying
  8. assisting
Adjective
  • According to Alex, Walliams could be kind, encouraging, and supportive of her comedy ambitions, but also curt and cold.
    — Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 10 Nov. 2026
  • Raman got almost no supportive outside spending in the primary, while millions of dollars were spent opposing her.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 8 Nov. 2026
Definition of supportive
Verb
  • Kirsten Schaffer, chief executive officer of WIF, was also in attendance alongside other representatives from the organization, which has spent more than five decades advocating for gender equity in entertainment.
    — Ryma Chikhoune, Footwear News, 5 Nov. 2026
  • When Beijing didn't budge during the 2014 movement, some young activists began advocating for Hong Kong’s independence.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 5 Nov. 2026
Definition of advocating
Verb
  • Your skeleton has a demanding day job, pumping out fresh new blood cells and serving as a mineral bank for calcium, not to mention keeping your head up and preventing your organs from collapsing into a disappointing puddle.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 6 Nov. 2026
  • Like Bob Pollard, another classic-rock surrealist, the 43-year-old Hollywell is making the most of a surprise middle-aged career breakthrough by keeping the tape rolling in his home studio at all hours.
    — Stuart Berman, Pitchfork, 5 Nov. 2026
Definition of keeping
Verb
  • Universities need institutions capable of sustaining serious debate after a visiting speaker leaves campus.
    — Ilya Shapiro, Washington Post, 8 Nov. 2026
  • With their best player out for the game, the Miami offense had a hard time getting big plays or sustaining drives, particularly in the first half.
    — Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 8 Nov. 2026
Definition of sustaining
Verb
  • Additional sound insulation for 2026 helps suppress road and drivetrain noise, further reinforcing the RZ's luxury credentials.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Cutting off access to contraceptives serves the Iranian government’s goal of population growth, reinforcing women’s primary role as reproducers.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of reinforcing
Verb
  • Lawmakers and school districts have raised concerns over federal agents' presence outside schools or near school bus stops, with the federal government frequently defending its actions.
    — Dan Gooding, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Nov. 2026
  • The county paid about $112 million in settlements defending the department in the 2024-25 fiscal year alone.
    — Connor Sheets, Los Angeles Times, 10 Nov. 2026
Definition of defending
Verb
  • Demand for grading — an act of verifying a card’s authenticity and condition — has grown as collectors increasingly treat trading and vintage sports cards as alternative investments.
    — Matthew Tan, CNBC, 7 Nov. 2026
  • Courtesy of Christie's New York A lot of work goes into verifying a discovery like this is real.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 7 Nov. 2026
Definition of verifying
Verb
  • Sources told The Times that the federal Environmental Protection Agency is assisting in the toxicology investigation, while state labs are testing weed from the farm.
    — Paige St. John, Los Angeles Times, 8 Nov. 2026
  • The directors and cinematographer Eva Kraljević shared a small shepherd’s shed, assisting with various chores including cows that had to be milked twice a day.
    — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of assisting

Browse Nearby Words

support hoses
supporting
supportive
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Cite this Entry

“Supporting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/supporting. Accessed 11 Nov. 2026.

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