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
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 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
Joseph Hernandez
march 29, Kansas City Star, 29 Mar. 2026
The goggles, the GPS address and the laptop — all of it was strong evidence supporting the bizarre story Denise and Aaron had been telling all along.
—Lauren Clark, CBS News, 29 Mar. 2026
Earlier inspections showed that moisture had reached the building’s structural concrete masonry walls, while exposed steel supporting the lifeguard observation deck showed visual signs of corrosion.
—Karen Kucher, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Mar. 2026
The governor’s favor is more likely to be incurred by supporting whatever his wife wants.
—Susan Shelley, Oc Register, 28 Mar. 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, 27 Mar. 2026
For her performance, Burns was nominated for an Oscar for supporting actress, while Hershey briefly changed her last name to Seagull after a bird was accidentally injured on set.
—Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2026
It’s made with 96% snail secretion filtrate, a humectant-rich ingredient known for calming irritation, fading post-acne marks, and supporting skin repair.
—Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 22 Mar. 2026
The As Ever founder stepped out for a surprise Paris Fashion Week appearance, supporting her friend Pierpaolo Piccioli at his Balenciaga debut swathed in a dramatic white cape.
—Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 21 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
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
The goggles, the GPS address and the laptop — all of it was strong evidence supporting the bizarre story Denise and Aaron had been telling all along.
—Lauren Clark, CBS News, 29 Mar. 2026
Earlier inspections showed that moisture had reached the building’s structural concrete masonry walls, while exposed steel supporting the lifeguard observation deck showed visual signs of corrosion.
—Karen Kucher, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Mar. 2026
The governor’s favor is more likely to be incurred by supporting whatever his wife wants.
—Susan Shelley, Oc Register, 28 Mar. 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, 27 Mar. 2026
For her performance, Burns was nominated for an Oscar for supporting actress, while Hershey briefly changed her last name to Seagull after a bird was accidentally injured on set.
—Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2026
It’s made with 96% snail secretion filtrate, a humectant-rich ingredient known for calming irritation, fading post-acne marks, and supporting skin repair.
—Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 22 Mar. 2026
The As Ever founder stepped out for a surprise Paris Fashion Week appearance, supporting her friend Pierpaolo Piccioli at his Balenciaga debut swathed in a dramatic white cape.
—Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 21 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
-
Bulls players stopped keeping a keen eye on the standings after going winless in February.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Mar. 2026
-
Investors fear that the war will disrupt the Persian Gulf's energy industry for a long time, setting off a punishing wave of global inflation by keeping large amounts of oil and natural gas out of global markets.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Sponsored and provided by LifeBridge Health Maintaining adequate nutrition during cancer treatment is important for sustaining strength, minimizing side effects and supporting the best treatment response possible.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
27 Mar. 2026
-
While the potential for a particularly dangerous fire season exists, it is not guaranteed, because the weather during the spring and summer months plays a large role in triggering blazes and sustaining them.—
Andrew Freedman,
CNN Money,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The team further enhanced performance by modifying the SMP’s chemical composition and reinforcing it with carbon fibers to improve stiffness and durability.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
26 Mar. 2026
-
OpenAI is battling more than a dozen different death and harm suits, including one centered on a tragic murder-suicide allegedly spurred by ChatGPT reinforcing an unstable man’s paranoid delusions.—
Maggie Harrison Dupré,
Futurism,
26 Mar. 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
-
Police were already on the scene assisting with evacuations.—
Lillie Davidson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
27 Mar. 2026
-
The City of White Settlement said approximately 150 residents are displaced, and the Red Cross is assisting.—
S.E. Jenkins,
CBS News,
27 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Supporting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/supporting. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
