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
Emma Tucker, CNN Money, 15 Feb. 2026
Eco effort Deeply committed to sea turtle conservation, Four Seasons Resort Nevis has partnered with the Sea Turtle Conservancy for over 15 years to educate and raise awareness while supporting research on migration patterns and species recovery.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Feb. 2026
On the individual level, to protect yourself, the experts recommend frequently checking the air quality in your area, wearing a mask if air pollution levels are high and supporting the creation of urban green spaces to combat climate change.
—Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 14 Feb. 2026
Border security is not the mission of the GLO, and using this office for that purpose distracts from its core responsibilities, managing public land, supporting public education, assisting veterans, and overseeing disaster recovery.
—Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026
Over the past five years, roughly 100 filmmakers have passed through the foundation’s residencies, training programs, and professional workshops, supporting emerging talent looking to make the leap into features.
—Ben Croll, Variety, 14 Feb. 2026
Saudi Arabi accused the UAE of supporting the separatists, and smuggling the STC leader, Aidarous al-Zubaidi, who is wanted for treason, out of Yemen and flying him to Abu Dhabi.
—Arkansas Online, 8 Feb. 2026
And to our fans, thank you for supporting and believing in us.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 7 Feb. 2026
Salefski said during her testimony that Rita’s daughter is one of her best friends, and Rita was supporting her candidacy.
—Olivia Stevens, Chicago Tribune, 7 Feb. 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
In a January 16 court filing supporting criminal charges against the two men, the DOJ asserted Aljorna was the one driving the vehicle.
—Emma Tucker, CNN Money, 15 Feb. 2026
Eco effort Deeply committed to sea turtle conservation, Four Seasons Resort Nevis has partnered with the Sea Turtle Conservancy for over 15 years to educate and raise awareness while supporting research on migration patterns and species recovery.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Feb. 2026
On the individual level, to protect yourself, the experts recommend frequently checking the air quality in your area, wearing a mask if air pollution levels are high and supporting the creation of urban green spaces to combat climate change.
—Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 14 Feb. 2026
Border security is not the mission of the GLO, and using this office for that purpose distracts from its core responsibilities, managing public land, supporting public education, assisting veterans, and overseeing disaster recovery.
—Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026
Over the past five years, roughly 100 filmmakers have passed through the foundation’s residencies, training programs, and professional workshops, supporting emerging talent looking to make the leap into features.
—Ben Croll, Variety, 14 Feb. 2026
Saudi Arabi accused the UAE of supporting the separatists, and smuggling the STC leader, Aidarous al-Zubaidi, who is wanted for treason, out of Yemen and flying him to Abu Dhabi.
—Arkansas Online, 8 Feb. 2026
And to our fans, thank you for supporting and believing in us.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 7 Feb. 2026
Salefski said during her testimony that Rita’s daughter is one of her best friends, and Rita was supporting her candidacy.
—Olivia Stevens, Chicago Tribune, 7 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for supporting
Adjective
-
When to use a neti pot In modern medicine, nasal irrigation through neti pots and other methods such as squeeze bottles and bulb syringes are widely recognized as a supportive therapy for sinus and nasal symptoms.—
Daryl Austin,
USA Today,
8 Feb. 2026
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Shop more comfy, supportive bralettes on Amazon, below.—
Reece Andavolgyi,
InStyle,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
As voters this year on the rate-setting Federal Open Market Committee, their positions conflict with those of Governor Waller, who is advocating for more cuts, a position also held by Fed Chair-designate Kevin Warsh.—
Jeff Cox,
CNBC,
11 Feb. 2026
-
The group has been advocating for such clarifications to be included in trade agreements with other Latin American nations, too.—
Kate Nishimura,
Sourcing Journal,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The basic things — paying the electric bill, going to the doctor, keeping a roof over your head — get more expensive every day, while wages stay rock-bottom and jobs get harder and harder to find.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Feb. 2026
-
The five preceding episodes depicted Louie’s worsening health, with Harden keeping a dignified smile on Louie’s face but also moving a little slower and admitting to more pain.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Freezing temperatures play an important role in regulating plant, animal, and insect life cycles, replenishing snow pack that supplies fresh water, and sustaining snow and ice needed for winter recreation and local economies.—
Mary Wasson,
Austin American Statesman,
11 Feb. 2026
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According to those reports, during her arrest in December, she was beaten repeatedly with wooden sticks and batons and dragged across the ground by her hair, sustaining injuries that left open wounds on her head.—
Jomana Karadsheh,
CNN Money,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
At the same time, Brooklyn posted the league’s best defensive rating in December while he was sidelined, reinforcing a direction that emphasized versatility, ball movement and defensive consistency.—
C.J. Holmes,
New York Daily News,
5 Feb. 2026
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Another option patients may pursue is to slowly taper off the drugs over about three to six months and to focus on reinforcing lifestyle choices that support goals for overall health and weight maintenance.—
Amy J. Sheer,
The Conversation,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The Lakers lost on Monday night to the Thunder, the defending NBA champions, who also have the best record in the league, and then had this back-to-back game against the tough Spurs.—
Broderick Turner,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Feb. 2026
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Both coffee and tea contain bioactive ingredients such as polyphenols and caffeine, which may reduce inflammation and cellular damage while defending against cognitive decline.—
Khloe Quill,
FOXNews.com,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Any internet user can play the role of researcher, with people submitting examples of infringement and LightBar’s small team of moderators verifying entries.—
Jake Kanter,
Deadline,
11 Feb. 2026
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Even if Iran agreed on a limit to its ballistic missile capabilities, verifying its compliance would present an additional set of challenges, Lamson said.—
Cybele Mayes-Osterman,
USA Today,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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As Farthing was assisting in traffic control, a man approached him from behind and stabbed him in the back, sheriff's office spokesperson Kim Peters said in a news release.—
Matthew Cupelli,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Google, which owns the smart home system Nest, is now assisting law enforcement in that investigation.—
Anna Kaufman,
USA Today,
6 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Supporting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/supporting. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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