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support

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verb

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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

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
Mosier says that Doug was greeted with support and cheers on graduation day. Kelli Bender, People.com, 26 May 2025 Netflix will soon end support for older Amazon Fire TV media-streaming devices. Jibin Joseph, PC Magazine, 26 May 2025
Verb
Tribal management could protect biodiversity and support traditional use. Emma Marris, The Atlantic, 25 May 2025 Amanda Hollins: With 15 years in law enforcement, Hollins’s vision for Kennedale includes strengthening community infrastructure, supporting local businesses, enhancing organizational efficiency, empowering future leaders, and advocating for ethical leadership. Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for support
Recent Examples of Synonyms for support
Noun
  • The squad saw few reinforcements ahead of the 2025 season, with two players signed on free transfers, one joining through the MLS SuperDraft and another on loan.
    Jeff Rueter, New York Times, 27 May 2025
  • The local fire and rescue services dispatched 55 vehicles and 232 personnel to the scene, while the Ministry of Emergency Management dispatched a working group and rescue reinforcements, the ministry said in a statement.
    Nectar Gan, CNN Money, 27 May 2025
Noun
  • In addition, urgent cases are being referred for emergency cash assistance.
    Sarah Ferguson, Forbes.com, 23 May 2025
  • While it’s not meant to replace reporting to your studio’s own HR, having a helpful guide and personal assistance about how to report and next steps in the process can be extremely valuable, especially for those working at small companies or on independent projects who don’t know where to turn.
    Brian Welk, IndieWire, 22 May 2025
Verb
  • Experts say that lessons learned from attempts to preserve more challenging, international historical sites on Earth shows there's a critical need to advocate for global cooperation and policy frameworks now — before irreversible damage occurs.
    Leonard David, Space.com, 29 May 2025
  • Pope Leo called for a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of all hostages in a May 28 general audience, following in the steps of his predecessor Pope Francis, who was both praised and criticized for using his position to advocate for ending the war in Gaza.
    Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA Today, 29 May 2025
Verb
  • Playing in the first group, Wong birdied the second hole and made up for his lone mistake (a bogey on No. 3) with birdies at seven and 11 to maintain a slim lead.
    Steve Galluzzo, Los Angeles Times, 22 May 2025
  • The narrative that recycling can meaningfully counteract the plastic crisis was constructed by the oil and gas industry to maintain public demand for plastic and delay regulation of its production.
    Aissa Dearing, JSTOR Daily, 22 May 2025
Verb
  • Professionals who combat stress early experience fewer health problems and sustain higher performance levels throughout their careers.
    Kara Dennison, Forbes.com, 20 May 2025
  • The Brooklyn Bridge, a popular tourist attraction that was completed in 1883, sustained no major damage, New York City transportation officials said.
    N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 19 May 2025
Verb
  • As the fireline is constructed, inspected or reinforced, mappers record those details to adjust the containment percentage.
    CA WILDFIRE BOT, Sacbee.com, 25 May 2025
  • That reinforces the original (or last) experience the customer had with you.
    Shep Hyken, Forbes.com, 25 May 2025
Verb
  • This tactic is sometimes used to justify letting an employee go under the guise of poor performance.
    Sho Dewan, Forbes.com, 24 May 2025
  • Anything above $35 is a luxury model that usually have impressive extras to justify the price.
    BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 23 May 2025
Verb
  • In Bitcoin, nodes verify signatures and miners’ proof of work.
    Korok Ray, Forbes.com, 19 May 2025
  • Videos of the strikes have circulated widely, but the footage could not be independently verified.
    Yevgeny Kuklychev Ellie Cook, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Support.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/support. Accessed 2 Jun. 2025.

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