support

[ suh-pawrt, -pohrt ]

See 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

First recorded in 1350–1400; (verb) Middle English supporten, from Middle French supporter, from Medieval Latin supportāre “to endure” (Latin: “to convey”), equivalent to sup- sup- + portāre “to carry” (see port⁵); (noun) Middle English, derivative of the verb

word story For support

The English noun support derives from the verb support. The verb comes from Middle English supporten, soport, supporte, from Anglo-French and Middle French subporter, supporter, originally “to suffer patiently, endure,” then “to come to the help of,” and later “to be in favor of, encourage.” The Middle French subporter clearly shows its Latin original, supportāre (also subportāre ), which in Latin means only “to transport or carry (supplies) to a place.” The other senses of supportāre arose in Medieval Latin. Supportāre is a compound verb made up of the preposition and prefix sub, sub- (here in the sense “movement or position up close to”) and the simple verb portāre “to carry, convey, transport.”

Other words for support

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

See synonyms for support on Thesaurus.com

Other words from support

sup·port·ing·ly, adverb
non·sup·port·ing, adjective
pre·sup·port, noun, verb (used with object)
pro·sup·port, adjective
qua·si-sup·port·ed, adjective
un·der·sup·port, noun
un·sup·port·ed, adjective
un·sup·port·ed·ly, adverb
un·sup·port·ing, adjective
well-sup·port·ed, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use support in a sentence

I know, some of you will now react by saying that the Netanyahu government supports a Palestinian state.
In the Middle East, the Two-State Solution Is Dead | Dean Obeidallah | January 2, 2015 | THE DAILY BEAST
“There is nothing whatsoever in the video which supports the charges—it shows no criminal activity,” Bakir said.
Sisi Is Persecuting, Prosecuting, and Publicly Shaming Egypt’s Gays | Bel Trew | December 30, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
The NRA supports the open carry of guns in cafes, burrito shops, and the produce aisle.
The NRA’s Twisted List for Santa | John Feinblatt | December 23, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
Be reliable supports of the Songun revolution possessed of a lofty spirit and rich knowledge!
North Korea's Top College: Brainwash U | Justin Rohrlich | December 13, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
Despite the case, he still supports the Special Forces and what the Americans did for his country.
Special Forces’ $77M ‘Hustler’ Hits Back | Kevin Maurer | December 8, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST

I claim that it contains many errors of fact, and the Higher Criticism supports the claim; as we shall see.
God and my Neighbour | Robert Blatchford
Thus R1 supports one flat side whilst R2 supports the other.
The Recent Revolution in Organ Building | George Laing Miller
Some of them got in amongst the Royal Naval Division, who brought up their own supports and killed 300, driving out the rest.
Gallipoli Diary, Volume I | Ian Hamilton
There is something cold and chilling in the supports which pride and philosophy alone can afford under the calamities of life.
Madame Roland, Makers of History | John S. C. Abbott
Mrs. Kinnaird, rising once more in an agony of impatience, stumbled against one of the tent supports.
The Gold Trail | Harold Bindloss

British Dictionary definitions for support

support

/ (səˈpɔːt) /

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 to: to support a political candidature
to endure with forbearance: I will no longer support bad behaviour
to give strength to; maintain: to 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

Origin of support

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

Derived forms of support

supportless, adjective

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

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