support

[suh-pawrt, -pohrt]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR support ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object)

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.

noun

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.

adjective

(of hosiery) made with elasticized fibers so as to fit snugly on the legs, thereby aiding circulation, relieving fatigue, etc.

Origin of support

1350–1400; (v.) Middle English supporten < Middle French supporter < Medieval Latin supportāre to endure (Latin: to convey), equivalent to sup- sup- + portāre to carry (see port⁵); (noun) Middle English, derivative of the v.

Related formssup·port·ing·ly, adverbnon·sup·port·ing, adjectivepre·sup·port, noun, verb (used with object)pro·sup·port, adjectivequa·si-sup·port·ed, adjectiveun·der·sup·port, nounun·sup·port·ed, adjectiveun·sup·port·ed·ly, adverbun·sup·port·ing, adjectivewell-sup·port·ed, adjective

Synonyms for support

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR support ON THESAURUS.COM

3. suffer, bear, stand, stomach. 13. sustenance, subsistence, keep.

Synonym study

1, 6. Support, maintain, sustain, uphold all mean to hold up and to preserve. 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. 13. See living.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for support

backing, assistance, loyalty, encouragement, protection, relief, aid, subsidy, payment, responsibility, care, bolster, reinforce, hold, uphold, subsidize, finance, strengthen, back, fund

Examples 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.
Jeb Bush’s Unseen Anti-Gay Marriage Emails
Jackie Kucinich
January 9, 2015
In October, he traveled to Denver with Fry to support his work with LGBT rights organization The Matthew Sheppard Foundation.
Meet Stephen Fry’s Future Husband (Who Is Less Than Half His Age)
Tom Sykes
January 6, 2015
Both are considered marginal figures in the House GOP caucus and have no real base of support for their respective bids.
The YOLO Caucus' New Cry for Attention
Ben Jacobs
January 4, 2015
This initiative had the support of all 22 members of the Arab League, which in and of itself is remarkable.
In the Middle East, the Two-State Solution Is Dead
Dean Obeidallah
January 2, 2015
As long ago as the early 1970s, he had gone on to support most civil rights-related legislation.
Steve Scalise and the Right’s Ridiculous Racial Blame Game
Michael Tomasky
January 2, 2015

Historical Examples of support

You used to support your family comfortably when you had one.
Brave and Bold
Horatio Alger
We must support our rights or lose our character, and with it, perhaps, our liberties.
United States Presidents' Inaugural Speeches
Various
As usual, balm was on his lips, and I found encouragement and support.
Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, No. 327
Various
To attempt it finds no support in the principles of our Constitution.
United States Presidents' Inaugural Speeches
Various
In support of his deposition he produced his billet de garde, dated the 8th.
Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, No. 327
Various

British Dictionary definitions for support

support

verb (tr)

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)

noun

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

Derived Formssupportless, adjective

Word Origin for support

C14: from Old French supporter, from Latin supportāre to bring, from sub- up + portāre to carry

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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 in Medicine

support

[sə-pôrt′]

v.

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.

n.

The act of supporting.

The state of being supported.

One that supports or maintains.

Maintenance, as of a family, with the necessities of life.