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Support

v. kind, hopeful warm

What it means

Meaning 1

To give practical help, strength, or encouragement.

Reach for it when describing assistance that helps a person, group, or effort continue

Local cooks support the pantry with prepared meals.

Meaning 2

To approve, defend, or provide evidence for a position.

Reach for it when expressing endorsement or evidential backing for a proposal or claim

The survey results support a later closing time.

Words to choose between 8

By register, from playful at the top to literary at the bottom, and by meaning across. Tap a word to see when it fits.
Meaning 1Meaning 2
everyday
warm
professional
formal

Meaning 1: To give practical help, strength, or encouragement.

  • everyday

    help

    Fits when direct assistance is the simple point

    Careful Help can be a one-time act, while support often continues or underpins.

  • warm

    encourage

    Fits when confidence and motivation are the needed help

    Careful Encouragement cannot replace material or technical support.

  • professional

    assist

    Fits when someone contributes to another person's task

    Careful Assist usually leaves the main responsibility with someone else.

  • formal

    sustain

    Fits when resources or strength keep something going over time

    Careful Initial encouragement can support a person without sustaining the whole effort.

Meaning 2: To approve, defend, or provide evidence for a position.

  • everyday

    back

    Fits when visible loyalty or resources stand behind someone

    Careful Back can sound partisan; it may rest on loyalty rather than evidence.

  • professional

    corroborate

    Fits when independent evidence confirms a statement

    Careful People and causes need support, but they are not corroborated.

  • professional

    endorse

    Fits when formal approval is explicitly given

    Careful Evidence supports a claim without formally endorsing it.

  • formal

    uphold

    Fits when a rule, principle, or decision is defended and maintained

    Careful A new proposal may be supported before any duty exists to uphold it.

Opposites 3

  • hinder
  • abandon
  • oppose

Common phrases 3

  • support a family

    The grant will support a family while their home is repaired.

  • support the proposal

    Three neighborhood groups support the proposal for safer crossings.

  • evidence supports

    The new evidence supports a simpler explanation for the fault.

Definitions and examples are written for this site. How words are chosen Recording: Dvortygirl, American accent, from Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 Updated