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support

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verb

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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
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) recently reiterated his support for a congressional stock trading ban. Emily Brooks, The Hill, 14 May 2025 With this level of support, leaders are better equipped to see who can do what, where capability exists across the organization and how talent can be aligned to work with greater accuracy. Saurabh Jain, Forbes.com, 14 May 2025
Verb
The Glazers donated $1m to relief efforts after the first and then gifted $1m to support small businesses impacted by the storm after the second. Adam Crafton, New York Times, 13 May 2025 Two key federal laws, including the Fairness for Breastfeeding Mothers Act and the Friendly Airports for Mothers Act, support the right to breastfeed. Marni Rose McFall, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for support
Recent Examples of Synonyms for support
Noun
  • The team went over the maximum reinforcement allowed for its front bumper covers.
    Lydia Mee, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 May 2025
  • Consistent reinforcement builds a vigilant, security-minded workforce.
    Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 15 May 2025
Noun
  • These organizations provide critical services, including support for human trafficking survivors, shelter for families escaping domestic violence, and financial assistance to women facing breast cancer.
    News Release, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 May 2025
  • There were several bills in the state House and Senate providing financial assistance to charter schools, now referred to as schools of hope.
    Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 11 May 2025
Verb
  • After much speculation as to whether the two leaders would engage in a face-to-face meeting—something Zelensky advocated for, on the condition that a cease-fire would be agreed to prior—the two did not meet.
    Rebecca Schneid, Time, 17 May 2025
  • Key members of the DevOps team unit, dedicated and qualified unit testing professionals will still advocate the need for an additional layer of testing.
    Adrian Bridgwater, Forbes.com, 17 May 2025
Verb
  • Final Thoughts Eufy Robot Lawn Mower E18 4.0 Excellent The Eufy Robot Lawn Mower E18 should eliminate most of the manual labor required to maintain your yard.
    Tyler Hayes, PC Magazine, 10 May 2025
  • The last four shows have mostly maintained the same set list, including her beloved throwback hits.
    Caché McClay, USA Today, 10 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
  • While Warner's performance in 2024 wasn't as impressive as seasons prior, the linebacker played through a broken ankle after sustaining the injury in Week 4.
    Valentina Martinez, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 May 2025
Verb
  • Rising protectionism fueled by a populist backlash to globalization, a post-pandemic push for economic security reinforced by the shock of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and, above all, intensifying U.S.-Chinese strategic rivalry converged to shatter the illusion of a global tech ecosystem.
    Ian Bremmer, Foreign Affairs, 13 May 2025
  • When financial literacy and empowerment are neglected, wealth-building opportunities slip through the cracks, reinforcing the cycle of instability.
    Shay Levister, Forbes.com, 13 May 2025
Verb
  • Some were concerned the data was being used to justify efforts to combat climate change, although the rising cost of weather disasters is due to more than just global warming.
    Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 14 May 2025
  • This would effectively challenge pharmaceutical companies to justify their pricing to America, leading to equitable pricing.
    Omer Awan, Forbes.com, 13 May 2025
Verb
  • The Times could not yet verify whether Bartkus had any other affiliation with the base.
    Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 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 24 May. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on support

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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