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
Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 23 May 2026
The film stars Spanish singer-songwriter Guitarricadelafuente in his screen debut, alongside Miguel Bernardeau, Carlos González, Milo Quifes and Lola Dueñas, with Glenn Close in a supporting role and Penélope Cruz contributing an extended cameo.
—Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 23 May 2026
For ordinary income tax records, the general rule is to keep returns and supporting documents until the period of limitations has run.
—Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 23 May 2026
Netflix’s purchase of Gentle Monster means Seydoux will get a significant push, as might Penelope Cruz in supporting for her wickedly fine, if brief musical appearance in La Bola Negra.
—Pete Hammond, Deadline, 23 May 2026
Throughout all three births, her husband’s role remained focused on supporting her through labor by rubbing her back, encouraging her through contractions and helping create a calm environment in the delivery room.
—Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 23 May 2026
The production is structured as a one-person play with heavy audience interaction, as theatergoers help portray supporting characters throughout the performance, Deadline reported.
—Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 23 May 2026
Other bills could lead to new relief for small businesses in the future, with lawmakers endorsing the creation of studies and working groups that will look at things like supporting artificial intelligence use by small businesses and tourism.
—P.r. Lockhart, Hartford Courant, 17 May 2026
In other words, voters didn’t accidentally stumble into supporting term limits.
—Jovani Patterson, Baltimore Sun, 16 May 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
For the first time, a skeleton of metal, rather than walls of masonry, formed the main supporting material for a large commercial tower.
—Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 23 May 2026
The film stars Spanish singer-songwriter Guitarricadelafuente in his screen debut, alongside Miguel Bernardeau, Carlos González, Milo Quifes and Lola Dueñas, with Glenn Close in a supporting role and Penélope Cruz contributing an extended cameo.
—Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 23 May 2026
For ordinary income tax records, the general rule is to keep returns and supporting documents until the period of limitations has run.
—Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 23 May 2026
Netflix’s purchase of Gentle Monster means Seydoux will get a significant push, as might Penelope Cruz in supporting for her wickedly fine, if brief musical appearance in La Bola Negra.
—Pete Hammond, Deadline, 23 May 2026
Throughout all three births, her husband’s role remained focused on supporting her through labor by rubbing her back, encouraging her through contractions and helping create a calm environment in the delivery room.
—Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 23 May 2026
The production is structured as a one-person play with heavy audience interaction, as theatergoers help portray supporting characters throughout the performance, Deadline reported.
—Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 23 May 2026
Other bills could lead to new relief for small businesses in the future, with lawmakers endorsing the creation of studies and working groups that will look at things like supporting artificial intelligence use by small businesses and tourism.
—P.r. Lockhart, Hartford Courant, 17 May 2026
In other words, voters didn’t accidentally stumble into supporting term limits.
—Jovani Patterson, Baltimore Sun, 16 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for supporting
Adjective
-
Best Amazon Memorial Day Fashion Sales Amazon’s fashion department is packed with deals on airy clothes, supportive shoes, and cute and functional accessories.—
Isabel Garcia,
PEOPLE,
25 May 2026
-
Plus, the supportive design won’t leave your feet screaming for a break halfway through the day.—
Chaise Sanders,
Travel + Leisure,
25 May 2026
Verb
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The technique was originally built for door-knockers advocating for ballot initiatives but can be adapted to other kinds of fraught conversations.—
Lisa Pavia-Higel,
The Conversation,
27 May 2026
-
Written during the Industrial Revolution, the landmark encyclical addressed workers’ rights, economic inequality, and the social consequences of rapid industrialization, advocating for labor protections while warning against both unregulated capitalism and socialism.—
Nandika Chatterjee,
Time,
26 May 2026
Verb
-
Taken together, the two measures highlight a growing tension in a state that prides itself on stewardship of the environment, as policymakers aim to protect threatened or endangered animals while also keeping people, pets and livestock safe.—
Sharon Bernstein,
Sacbee.com,
29 May 2026
-
Studies found little real difference, but the new patent was an effective tool for keeping generics at bay and continuing to collect monopoly profits.—
Wayne T Brough,
Oc Register,
29 May 2026
Verb
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Her hyperfocus on the leaf raises questions that extend far beyond the kitchen, inviting an inquiry into the banana plant’s movement across geographies and its role in sustaining cultural traditions.—
Sophia Rey,
JSTOR Daily,
28 May 2026
-
Emotionally cornered and spiritually exhausted, Anatoly at last lets everything rupture to the surface, sustaining the anthem's climactic note for over 20 seconds.—
Dave Quinn,
PEOPLE,
28 May 2026
Verb
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Now owned by Walgreens Boots Alliance, the business has increasingly leaned into beauty-box culture as a way of competing with younger, digitally native beauty retailers while reinforcing authority in skincare and wellness.—
Kate Hardcastle,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
-
For NeuroMD Medical Technologies, this means continuing to invest in research, refining its product offering, and reinforcing its position within a competitive landscape.—
Daniel Fusch,
USA Today,
28 May 2026
Verb
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Victor Wembanyama is making news these days as a third-year player who has led the San Antonio Spurs to a 2-2 series tie with the defending NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference finals.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
27 May 2026
-
The Western Conference Finals shifted back to Oklahoma City on Tuesday night, with the defending league champions pulling away in the second half for a 127-114 victory in Game 5.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
27 May 2026
Verb
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While its existing fulfillment platform featured a digital suite including digital bills of lading, GPS tracking, and compliance reporting, verifying the physical identity of personnel remained a gap.—
Arthur Zaczkiewicz,
Footwear News,
26 May 2026
-
Tech leaders have portrayed the role of human software engineers as a human in the loop, overseeing and verifying AI agents that do the work of coders.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
22 May 2026
Verb
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New Jersey's Immigrant Trust Directive restricts officers from enforcing federal immigration laws or assisting ICE agents.—
Christine Sloan,
CBS News,
28 May 2026
-
If California’s making the super-intelligent machines, then Boston can be the place where those machines are put to work doing things like assisting hospital patients and creating life-saving drugs.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
28 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Supporting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/supporting. Accessed 30 May. 2026.
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