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
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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
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
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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
Jake Goodrick, Sacbee.com, 4 Apr. 2026
Curators pop up in famous artists’ biographies all the time, usually as handmaidens to the creator’s genius, opening a door to a gallery here or supporting a grant application there.
—Hilton Als, New Yorker, 4 Apr. 2026
The idea was to create a system that could both answer questions and take action, eventually supporting a broader ecosystem that could be used by outside businesses, similar to the App Store.
—Mackenzie Sigalos, CNBC, 4 Apr. 2026
Bay Staters interested in supporting the cause can pre-order the special plates online and will be placed on a waiting list.
—Lance Reynolds, Boston Herald, 4 Apr. 2026
The role earned her an Emmy nomination in 2025 for outstanding supporting actress in a comedy series.
—Jack Dunn, Variety, 4 Apr. 2026
This was the first flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission, which landed on the A Shortfall of Gravitas droneship stationed in the Atlantic Ocean.
—Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 4 Apr. 2026
Facilitated by Kim Shea who has been supporting older adults for over 20 years as a caregiver and retirement coach.
—Kris Slugg, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Apr. 2026
His wife spent 10 years as a paraprofessional at Liggett Trail Early Childhood Center, supporting children with developmental disabilities.
—Joseph Hernandez
march 29, Kansas City Star, 29 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
The United States Powered Paragliding Association and Experimental Aircraft Association have written letters supporting the ultralight pilots in their fight against the county airport, as cited in the documents under review for the FAA’s upcoming decision.
—Jake Goodrick, Sacbee.com, 4 Apr. 2026
Curators pop up in famous artists’ biographies all the time, usually as handmaidens to the creator’s genius, opening a door to a gallery here or supporting a grant application there.
—Hilton Als, New Yorker, 4 Apr. 2026
The idea was to create a system that could both answer questions and take action, eventually supporting a broader ecosystem that could be used by outside businesses, similar to the App Store.
—Mackenzie Sigalos, CNBC, 4 Apr. 2026
Bay Staters interested in supporting the cause can pre-order the special plates online and will be placed on a waiting list.
—Lance Reynolds, Boston Herald, 4 Apr. 2026
The role earned her an Emmy nomination in 2025 for outstanding supporting actress in a comedy series.
—Jack Dunn, Variety, 4 Apr. 2026
This was the first flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission, which landed on the A Shortfall of Gravitas droneship stationed in the Atlantic Ocean.
—Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 4 Apr. 2026
Facilitated by Kim Shea who has been supporting older adults for over 20 years as a caregiver and retirement coach.
—Kris Slugg, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Apr. 2026
His wife spent 10 years as a paraprofessional at Liggett Trail Early Childhood Center, supporting children with developmental disabilities.
—Joseph Hernandez
march 29, Kansas City Star, 29 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for supporting
Adjective
-
As at many workplaces, agency assessments can be hyperbolic, reflecting the effusiveness of a supportive boss trying to promote the accomplishments of his team and win his employee a raise.—
David D. Kirkpatrick,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
-
The arrangement could help some areas benefit from bond money, even if voters across the district are less supportive.—
Jemma Stephenson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Hancock, instead, said Kansas Citians could ultimately benefit from having three representatives advocating for their interests in Congress.—
Kacen Bayless,
Kansas City Star,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Maybe the fans who were supposed to ditch him already left years or decades ago, and what’s left are the folks think advocating for empathy is a niche position.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Supporters say the plates will help recognize the cultural pride that goes into keeping these hot rods rolling on California roadways.—
James Taylor,
CBS News,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Gibbs will request, keeping them busier than clients half her age.—
Taijuan Moorman,
USA Today,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
And yet Kyoto is also a modern city with modern comforts, where people live and work amid the legacy of centuries, sustaining and sustained by a living heritage.—
Jessica Kozuka,
Travel + Leisure,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Over the next five decades, Florentino waits for Fermina, sustaining his devotion by writing her hundreds of letters.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Larkin found that Muslim viewers in Kano reinterpreted Bollywood films through an Islamic moral lens, reading their narratives as reinforcing local values of propriety and ethical conduct.—
Gareth Barkin,
The Conversation,
2 Apr. 2026
-
The video includes scenes from across the actress’s career as well as glimpses of her personal life, reinforcing her status as one of Hollywood’s most recognizable figures.—
Claire Dodds,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Keller stymies defending champ Coppell Claire Garritson scored the game-winning goal in the second half and Keller hung on to beat defending state champion Coppell 2-1 in the Class 6A Division 1 Region 1 Final on Tuesday night at Keller High School.—
Darren Lauber,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
1 Apr. 2026
-
During the 2002 World Cup, fans across Africa celebrated Senegal’s upset victory over defending champion France, its former colonizer, as a symbol of liberation.—
Albert Samaha,
New Yorker,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles has been verifying citizenship as part of bringing state drivers into compliance with federal REAL ID requirements.—
Anthony Man,
Sun Sentinel,
1 Apr. 2026
-
With the order expected to be fought in the court system, Winfrey says her team's focus is to ensure that each Detroiter's voice is heard and properly counted by using affidavits verifying each voter and extending early voting hours for access.—
Elaine Rojas-Castillo,
CBS News,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The Welcoming City Ordinance in Chicago prohibits police from participating in civil immigration enforcement operations or assisting ICE.—
Victor Jacobo,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Chinese diplomats and the foreign ministry say that their outreach in the region is aimed at building friendship and assisting countries with poverty alleviation, agricultural and economic development, and law and order.—
Didi Kirsten Tatlow,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Supporting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/supporting. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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