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
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Recent Examples of supporting
Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 17 June 2026
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
Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 June 2026
State initiatives aimed at supporting fusion research and commercialization have encouraged investment and collaboration, helping establish an ecosystem designed to accelerate technological breakthroughs.
—Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 13 June 2026
An October 2025 study in the British Journal of Dermatology, funded by Unilever, examined 65 women aged 40 to 50 and found those who looked younger had more resilient skin microbiomes, supporting the case for letting skin rest some nights with just a cleanser and moisturizer.
—Allison Palmer
updated June 13, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 June 2026
Sharing the American Airlines Center with the Dallas Mavericks always appeared, from the outside, to be a strong partnership – two major‑market franchises supporting each other, almost like family.
—Doug Dunbar, CBS News, 13 June 2026
But Texas Tech is not merely supporting a young man’s recovery.
—Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 June 2026
The supporting feature code isn’t present in the app yet.
—Paul Monckton, Forbes.com, 13 June 2026
Let’s remember the wisdom of our leaders in supporting the humanitarian aid that gave people a chance to rebuild from the war.
—William Lambers, Hartford Courant, 6 June 2026
Others are hemorrhaging money from divorce, supporting adult children or overextended on mortgage debt.
—Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 6 June 2026
Adjective
The incredible supporting cast is made up entirely of old-hand character actors, promising but underknown newcomers, and comedy- or comedy-adjacent figures with passionate niche followings and Gumby-esque limbs.
—Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 17 June 2026
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
Your 10th House of Career gains shine as beauty-loving Venus arrives, supporting confident polish and the power of understated presence.
—Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 June 2026
State initiatives aimed at supporting fusion research and commercialization have encouraged investment and collaboration, helping establish an ecosystem designed to accelerate technological breakthroughs.
—Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 13 June 2026
An October 2025 study in the British Journal of Dermatology, funded by Unilever, examined 65 women aged 40 to 50 and found those who looked younger had more resilient skin microbiomes, supporting the case for letting skin rest some nights with just a cleanser and moisturizer.
—Allison Palmer
updated June 13, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 June 2026
Sharing the American Airlines Center with the Dallas Mavericks always appeared, from the outside, to be a strong partnership – two major‑market franchises supporting each other, almost like family.
—Doug Dunbar, CBS News, 13 June 2026
But Texas Tech is not merely supporting a young man’s recovery.
—Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 June 2026
The supporting feature code isn’t present in the app yet.
—Paul Monckton, Forbes.com, 13 June 2026
Let’s remember the wisdom of our leaders in supporting the humanitarian aid that gave people a chance to rebuild from the war.
—William Lambers, Hartford Courant, 6 June 2026
Others are hemorrhaging money from divorce, supporting adult children or overextended on mortgage debt.
—Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 6 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for supporting
Adjective
-
Her care team was gently urging her to switch to supportive, closed-toe footwear.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
14 June 2026
-
Her manager was supportive but company policy was less so.—
Jessica Guynn,
USA Today,
14 June 2026
Verb
-
However, a growing number of residents have been regularly showing up to city council meetings advocating for a moratorium on data center development, pointing to issues with noise pollution, water use, and electricity costs.—
Harrison Mantas,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
18 June 2026
-
In response to the disparities on the field, NFL cheerleaders have filed lawsuits advocating for fair pay and better working conditions — several of which have been settled privately, according to The Guardian.—
Maddie Garfinkle,
PEOPLE,
17 June 2026
Verb
-
Master beekeeper Nicole Palladino is keeping the rooftop at the Westfield Century City shopping center buzzing with activity, as about 30,000 bees work to make honey.—
Kara Finnstrom,
CBS News,
19 June 2026
-
In line with existing sleep hygiene guidelines, Winter suggests keeping your bedroom between 65 and 68 degrees Fahrenheit.—
Sharon Brandwein,
USA Today,
19 June 2026
Verb
-
Investigators determined the victim was Edgar Carlos Garcia, then 39, of Mexico, who died after sustaining fatal injuries during an altercation that took place inside the warehouse.—
Reeti Malhotra,
Sacbee.com,
20 June 2026
-
After spending months helping immigrant families weather the economic fallout of federal immigration enforcement operations in the Twin Cities, Smitten Kitten is asking the community for help sustaining itself.—
Ray Campos,
CBS News,
19 June 2026
Verb
-
For the first time on Shark Week, the full range of great white hunting tactics will be revealed, reinforcing their status as one of the ocean’s top predator.—
Denise Petski,
Deadline,
18 June 2026
-
Research from McKinsey & Company found that companies in the top quartile for ethnic diversity are 39% more likely to outperform financially than those in the bottom quartile, reinforcing the growing business case for inclusive leadership.—
Jack Hayes,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2026
Verb
-
The Inter Miami captain scored a hat trick for defending World Cup champion Argentina in a 3-0 rout of Algeria in their tournament opener.—
Michelle Kaufman,
Miami Herald,
17 June 2026
-
But Cape Verde simply did not wilt in a solid, switched-on 4-5-1 defensive shape, compressing space between the lines and defending heroically in their own penalty area to keep the European Champions at bay, and committing only one foul in the process — the fewest ever recorded in a World Cup game.—
Thom Harris,
New York Times,
16 June 2026
Verb
-
And there were huge gaps in the JCPOA and the Obama nuclear deal in terms of actually verifying.—
Quinn Scanlan,
ABC News,
14 June 2026
-
Never click suspicious links or provide personal information without independently verifying the source.—
Staff Report,
Hartford Courant,
12 June 2026
Verb
-
Ferndale police say the Oakland County Sheriff's Office is assisting in their investigation.—
DeJanay Booth-Singleton,
CBS News,
19 June 2026
-
Potential applications include assisting visitors with information, providing companionship, supporting learning activities, and helping organizations deliver more engaging customer experiences.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
18 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Supporting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/supporting. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
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