support
- to bear or hold up (a load, mass, structure, part, etc.); serve as a foundation for.
- to sustain or withstand (weight, pressure, strain, etc.) without giving way; serve as a prop for.
- to undergo or endure, especially with patience or submission; tolerate.
- to sustain (a person, the mind, spirits, courage, etc.) under trial or affliction: They supported him throughout his ordeal.
- to maintain (a person, family, establishment, institution, etc.) by supplying with things necessary to existence; provide for: to support a family.
- to uphold (a person, cause, policy, etc.) by aid, countenance, one's vote, etc.; back; second.
- to maintain or advocate (a theory, principle, etc.).
- to corroborate (a statement, opinion, etc.): Leading doctors supported his testimony.
- to act with or second (a lead performer); assist in performance: The star was supported by a talented newcomer.
- the act or an instance of supporting.
- the state of being supported.
- something that serves as a foundation, prop, brace, or stay.
- maintenance, as of a person or family, with necessaries, means, or funds: to pay for support of an orphan.
- a person or thing that supports, as financially: The pension was his only support.
- a person or thing that gives aid or assistance.
- an actor, actress, or group performing with a lead performer.
- the material, as canvas or wood, on which a picture is painted.
- Stock Exchange. support level.
- (of hosiery) made with elasticized fibers so as to fit snugly on the legs, thereby aiding circulation, relieving fatigue, etc.
Origin of support
Synonyms for support
See more synonyms for on Thesaurus.comSynonym study
Related Words for support
backing, assistance, loyalty, encouragement, protection, relief, aid, subsidy, payment, responsibility, care, bolster, reinforce, hold, uphold, subsidize, finance, strengthen, back, fundExamples from the Web for support
Contemporary Examples of support
“I do not support gay marriages being recognized in Florida,” he wrote Andrew Walther of Sanford.
In October, he traveled to Denver with Fry to support his work with LGBT rights organization The Matthew Sheppard Foundation.
Both are considered marginal figures in the House GOP caucus and have no real base of support for their respective bids.
This initiative had the support of all 22 members of the Arab League, which in and of itself is remarkable.
As long ago as the early 1970s, he had gone on to support most civil rights-related legislation.
Historical Examples of support
You used to support your family comfortably when you had one.
Brave and BoldHoratio Alger
In support of his deposition he produced his billet de garde, dated the 8th.
We must support our rights or lose our character, and with it, perhaps, our liberties.
As usual, balm was on his lips, and I found encouragement and support.
In supporting it, therefore, we support all that is dear to the freeman and the philanthropist.
support
- to carry the weight of
- to bear or withstand (pressure, weight, etc)
- to provide the necessities of life for (a family, person, etc)
- to tend to establish (a theory, statement, etc) by providing new facts; substantiate
- to speak in favour of (a motion)
- to give aid or courage to
- to give approval to (a cause, principle, etc); subscribe toto support a political candidature
- to endure with forbearanceI will no longer support bad behaviour
- to give strength to; maintainto support a business
- (tr) (in a concert) to perform earlier than (the main attraction)
- films theatre
- to play a subordinate role to
- to accompany (the feature) in a film programme
- to act or perform (a role or character)
- the act of supporting or the condition of being supported
- a thing that bears the weight or part of the weight of a construction
- a person who or thing that furnishes aid
- the means of maintenance of a family, person, etc
- a band or entertainer not topping the bill
- the support an actor or group of actors playing subordinate roles
- med an appliance worn to ease the strain on an injured bodily structure or part
- the solid material on which a painting is executed, such as canvas
- See athletic support
Word Origin for support
Word Origin and History for support
late 14c., "to aid," also "to hold up, prop up," from Old French supporter, from Latin supportare "convey, carry, bring up," from sub "up from under" + portare "to carry" (see port (n.1)). Related: Supported; supporting.
late 14c., "act of assistance, backing, help, aid," from support (v.). Meaning "one who provides assistance, protection, backing, etc." is early 15c. Sense of "bearing of expense" is mid-15c. Physical sense of "that which supports" is from 1560s. Meaning "services which enable something to fulfil its function and remain in operation" (e.g. tech support) is from 1953.
support
(sə-pôrt′)- To bear the weight of, especially from below.
- To hold in position so as to keep from falling, sinking, or slipping.
- To be capable of bearing; withstand.
- To keep from weakening or failing; strengthen.
- To provide for or maintain, by supplying with money or necessities.
- To endure; tolerate.
- The act of supporting.
- The state of being supported.
- One that supports or maintains.
- Maintenance, as of a family, with the necessities of life.