Definitions

support

[suh-pawrt] / səˈpɔrt /

NOUN

something that holds up structure

Synonyms

STRONGEST

backing

STRONG

abutment agency back base bed bedding block brace buttress collar column cornerstone device flotation foothold footing foundation fulcrum groundwork guide hold lining means medium pillar platform pole post prop rampart reinforcement rest rib rod shore stake stanchion stave stay stiffener stilt substratum substructure sustentation timber underpinning

Antonyms

WEAK

disapproval discouragement frustration opposition stop

NOUN

help, approval

Synonyms

STRONGEST

aid assistance backing encouragement loyalty protection relief

STRONG

assist blessing championship comfort friendship furtherance hand lift patronage succor sustenance

WEAK

moral support

Antonyms

STRONGEST

hindrance hurt injury

STRONG

ill will stoppage

WEAK

block disapproval discouragement frustration opposition stop

NOUN

food, money, possessions for staying alive

Synonyms

STRONGEST

care payment relief responsibility subsidy

STRONG

alimentation alimony allowance keep livelihood living maintenance necessities nutriment provision stock stores subsistence sustenance upkeep victuals

Antonyms

STRONG

entertainment fun neglect

WEAK

block disapproval discouragement frustration opposition stop

VERB

hold up

Synonyms

STRONGEST

bolster hold reinforce uphold

STRONG

base bear bed bottom brace buttress carry cradle crutch embed found ground mainstay poise prop shore shoulder stand stay strut sustain undergird

WEAK

be a foundation for keep from falling keep up shore up upbear

Antonyms

STRONGEST

undermine weaken

STRONG

drop fall let go refuse

WEAK

contradict disapprove let down neglect oppose reject release

VERB

take care of, provide for

Synonyms

STRONGEST

back encourage finance fund maintain raise set up sponsor strengthen subsidize uphold

STRONG

angel bankroll chaperon cherish feed fortify foster guard keep nourish nurse prop stake stiffen stroke succor sustain underwrite

WEAK

attend to be a source of strength bring up buoy up care for earn one's keep give a leg up keep an eye on look after make a living pay expenses of pay for pick up the check put up money for

Antonyms

STRONGEST

conclude depress discourage dissuade finish hurt ignore neglect take weaken

STRONG

abandon starve

WEAK

contradict disapprove let down let go oppose refuse reject release

VERB

defend, advocate belief

Synonyms

STRONGEST

aid approve assist back bolster boost endorse establish help hold justify maintain promote side with uphold

STRONG

abet advance carry champion cheer comfort countenance forward foster second stay substantiate sustain verify

WEAK

agree with bear out boost morale get behind go along with go to bat for keep up plead for pull for put forward rally round stand behind stand up for stick by stick up for take one's side take the part of throw in one's lot with throw in with

Antonyms

STRONGEST

block condemn decrease desert disapprove discourage halt hinder hurt injure invalidate obstruct oppose prevent reject stop undermine

STRONG

disprove impede

WEAK

contradict let down let go neglect refuse release

VERB

endure

Synonyms

STRONGEST

abide continue maintain take tolerate

STRONG

bear brook countenance go handle stand stomach submit suffer swallow undergo

WEAK

bear with carry on go through keep up live with put up with stand for stay the course stick it out sweat out wait out

Antonyms

STRONGEST

disallow discontinue halt refuse reject stop

STRONG

disagree fight

WEAK

contradict disapprove let down let go neglect oppose release

Usage

What are other ways to say support? To support is to hold up or add strength to, literally or figuratively: The columns support the roof. To maintain is to support so as to preserve intact: to maintain an attitude of defiance. To sustain, a rather elevated word, suggests completeness and adequacy in supporting: The court sustained his claim. Uphold applies especially to supporting or backing another, as in a statement, opinion, or belief: to uphold the rights of a minority.

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Asian stocks enjoyed a partial rebound from the previous day's rout as investors returned to the AI trade, while easing Middle East tensions also provided support and pushed oil prices down.

From Barron's • Jun. 9, 2026

“Families should not have to wonder every budget season whether the support they rely on will be taken away,” Gonzalez said.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 9, 2026

He said the "infant sleep industry has boomed... as the support that used to be provided by the state has been stripped back."

From BBC • Jun. 8, 2026

We found these grooves also appear naturally in wild primates, with little support for tooth-picking as the cause.

From Science Daily • Jun. 8, 2026

Mother Fox believed the Kane family should support Maggie as Elisha’s widow.

From "American Spirits" by Barb Rosenstock

support

Usage

Example Sentences

Vocabulary lists containing support

The SAT: Multiple-Meaning Words, List 1

PARCC: Language of the Test (Grade7)

Jim Burke's Academic Vocabulary List

support

Usage

Example Sentences

Related Words

Vocabulary lists containing support

The SAT: Multiple-Meaning Words, List 1

PARCC: Language of the Test (Grade7)

Jim Burke's Academic Vocabulary List