support 1 of 2

Definition of supportnext

support

2 of 2

verb

1
2
as in to maintain
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 to sustain
to hold up or serve as a foundation for pillars supporting the bridge

Synonyms & Similar Words

4
as in to reinforce
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

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Synonym Chooser

How is the word support different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of support are advocate, back, champion, and uphold. While all these words mean "to favor actively one that meets opposition," support is least explicit about the nature of the assistance given.

supports waterfront development

When could advocate be used to replace support?

While in some cases nearly identical to support, advocate stresses urging or pleading.

advocated prison reform

Where would back be a reasonable alternative to support?

In some situations, the words back and support are roughly equivalent. However, back suggests supporting by lending assistance to one failing or falling.

refusing to back the call for sanctions

When can champion be used instead of support?

The words champion and support are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, champion suggests publicly defending one unjustly attacked or too weak to advocate his or her own cause.

championed the rights of children

When is it sensible to use uphold instead of support?

While the synonyms uphold and support are close in meaning, uphold implies extended support given to something attacked.

upheld the legitimacy of the military action

How is the word support different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of support are advocate, back, champion, and uphold. While all these words mean "to favor actively one that meets opposition," support is least explicit about the nature of the assistance given.

supports waterfront development

When could advocate be used to replace support?

While in some cases nearly identical to support, advocate stresses urging or pleading.

advocated prison reform

Where would back be a reasonable alternative to support?

In some situations, the words back and support are roughly equivalent. However, back suggests supporting by lending assistance to one failing or falling.

refusing to back the call for sanctions

When can champion be used instead of support?

The words champion and support are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, champion suggests publicly defending one unjustly attacked or too weak to advocate his or her own cause.

championed the rights of children

When is it sensible to use uphold instead of support?

While the synonyms uphold and support are close in meaning, uphold implies extended support given to something attacked.

upheld the legitimacy of the military action

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 support
Noun
With no one aboard, the Artemis I capsule lacked life-support equipment and other crew essentials like a water dispenser and toilet. Marcia Dunn, Chicago Tribune, 2 Apr. 2026 Well, the Daily Mail is reporting that the King has invited the two to Royal Ascot in what is considered a show of support for his nieces. Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 1 Apr. 2026
Verb
Major concert tours increasingly evolved into large-scale productions, featuring elaborate stage design, advanced lighting and pyrotechnics, and supporting performers, all of which added to production costs. Bydoug Ashburn, Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Apr. 2026 This kind of green infrastructure can reduce flooding, improve water quality, lower urban temperatures and create recreational spaces – benefits that support both wildlife and the people who live alongside them. Eve Bohnett, The Conversation, 2 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for support
Recent Examples of Synonyms for support
Noun
  • Helicopters, dog squads and reinforcements from New Zealand were dispatched to help track Freeman, who reportedly possessed strong bushcraft and outdoor survival skills.
    CBS News, CBS News, 30 Mar. 2026
  • The American Kennel Club (AKC) emphasizes that helping fearful dogs requires patience and positive reinforcement.
    Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • The bill carves out a number of exceptions, including for people providing medical assistance or helping law enforcement.
    Becca Savransky, Idaho Statesman, 1 Apr. 2026
  • Features like heart rate sensing and hearing assistance add a layer of everyday usefulness, and the seamless Bluetooth pairing keeps things simple across devices.
    Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 31 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • In contrast, the Fraternal Order of Eagles advocated for pensions for industrial wage laborers—for people who had worked in jobs that wore out their bodies and left them physically unable to work.
    Trevor Jackson, The New York Review of Books, 4 Apr. 2026
  • Shailin managed to refer some families to human-rights groups that advocate for prisoners in Iran.
    Cora Engelbrecht, New Yorker, 3 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Eligibility for the state’s Medicaid expansion already maintains a yearly income cap for an individual at approximately $22,000.
    Kevin Fixler, Idaho Statesman, 1 Apr. 2026
  • The Observer maintains full editorial control of its journalism.
    Ryan Oehrli April 1, Charlotte Observer, 1 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • That’s how careers are built ‒ and sustained.
    Johnny C. Taylor Jr, USA Today, 31 Mar. 2026
  • The driver sustained only minor visible injuries, according to troopers.
    Zachary Bynum, CBS News, 31 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Ezra's parents say that the moment is one that will be memorable for some time to come, further reinforcing his dreams of one day joining the law enforcement community.
    Lesley Marin, CBS News, 4 Apr. 2026
  • Authorities reinforced security around Jewish sites in the wake of explosions last month outside synagogues in Liege, Belgium, and the Dutch port city of Rotterdam and outside a Jewish school in Amsterdam.
    ABC News, ABC News, 4 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Policies were justified not with reference to morality or metaphysics but with citations of white papers.
    Becca Rothfeld, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2026
  • Conflicts abroad, such as in Iran, that may disrupt domestic oil resources could also be used as an argument to justify the need to drill, Sivas said.
    Sierra Lopez, Mercury News, 30 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • An administrative review is underway to assess the mission and verify compliance with regulations and airspace requirements.
    Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA Today, 31 Mar. 2026
  • Earlier Monday, the CBS News Confirmed team verified images from the attack that left 10 service members wounded last week.
    Lucia I Suarez Sang, CBS News, 31 Mar. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Support.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/support. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.

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