English dictionary



Info: This web site is based on WordNet 3.0 from Princeton University.

English noun: support

1. support (act) the activity of providing for or maintaining by supplying with money or necessities


SamplesHis support kept the family together.
They gave him emotional support during difficult times.


Broader (hypernym)activity


Narrower (hyponym)logistic assistance, logistic support, maintenance, sustainment, sustenance, sustentation, upkeep

2. support (act) aiding the cause or policy or interests of


SamplesThe president no longer has the support of his own party.
They developed a scheme of mutual support.


Broader (hypernym)aid, assist, assistance, help


Narrower (hyponym)adherence, adhesion, advocacy, approval, approving, attachment, blessing, endorsement, indorsement, protagonism, reassurance, sponsorship

3. support (cognition) something providing immaterial assistance to a person or cause or interest


SamplesThe policy found little public support.
His faith was all the support he needed.
The team enjoyed the support of their fans.


Broader (hypernym)influence


Narrower (hyponym)anchor, backbone, keystone, lifeline, linchpin, lynchpin, mainstay

4. support (act) a military operation (often involving new supplies of men and materiel) to strengthen a military force or aid in the performance of its mission


SamplesThey called for artillery support.


Synonymsreenforcement, reinforcement


Broader (hypernym)military operation, operation


Narrower (hyponym)close support


Domain categoryarmed forces, armed services, military, military machine, war machine

5. support (act) documentary validation


SamplesHis documentation of the results was excellent.
The strongest support for this view is the work of Jones.


Synonymsdocumentation


Broader (hypernym)proof, substantiation, validation

6. support (possession) the financial means whereby one lives


SamplesEach child was expected to pay for their keep.
He applied to the state for support.
He could no longer earn his own livelihood.


Synonymsbread and butter, keep, livelihood, living, sustenance


Broader (hypernym)resource


Narrower (hyponym)amenities, comforts, conveniences, creature comforts, maintenance, meal ticket, subsistence

7. support (artifact) supporting structure that holds up or provides a foundation


SamplesThe statue stood on a marble support.


Broader (hypernym)supporting structure


Narrower (hyponym)abutment, architrave, base, basement, buttress, buttressing, foot, footstall, foundation, fundament, groundwork, pedestal, plinth, prop, substructure, understructure

8. support (act) the act of bearing the weight of or strengthening


SamplesHe leaned against the wall for support.


Synonymssupporting


Broader (hypernym)activity


Narrower (hyponym)dangling, hanging, propping up, shoring, shoring up, suspension

9. support (communication) a musical part (vocal or instrumental) that supports or provides background for other musical parts


Synonymsaccompaniment, backup, musical accompaniment


Broader (hypernym)part, voice


Narrower (hyponym)descant, discant, vamp

10. support (artifact) any device that bears the weight of another thing


SamplesThere was no place to attach supports for a shelf.


Broader (hypernym)device


Narrower (hyponym)andiron, arch support, back, backboard, backrest, baluster, bar, base, bearing, bearing wall, bedpost, bookend, brace, bracket, bridge, dog, dog-iron, firedog, foot, football tee, foothold, footing, gunstock, handrest, hanger, harness, harp, headstock, leg, pedestal, perch, pier, pier, pillow block, rack, radius, rest, rib, rocker, seat, shelf, spoke, stair, stand, stand, step, stirrup, stirrup iron, stock, structural member, tailstock, tee, undercarriage, wall bracket, wheel spoke, yoke

11. support (possession) financial resources provided to make some project possible


SamplesThe foundation provided support for the experiment.


Synonymsbacking, financial backing, financial support, funding


Broader (hypernym)resource


English verb: support

1. support (social) give moral or psychological support, aid, or courage to


SamplesShe supported him during the illness.
Her children always backed her up.


ExamplesSam cannot support Sue


Synonymsback up


Pattern of useSomebody ----s something.
Somebody ----s somebody.
Something ----s somebody.
Something ----s something


Narrower (hyponym)advance, aid, assist, back, boost, buy at, encourage, endorse, frequent, further, help, indorse, patronise, patronize, promote, second, shop, shop at, sponsor, sponsor, undergird

2. support (possession) support materially or financially


SamplesHe does not support his natural children.
The scholarship supported me when I was in college.


Pattern of useSomebody ----s something.
Somebody ----s somebody


Broader (hypernym)give


Narrower (hyponym)bring home the bacon, fund, patronise, patronize, provide, see through, sponsor, subsidise, subsidize

3. support (social) be behind; approve of


SamplesHe plumped for the Labor Party.
I backed Kennedy in 1960.


Synonymsback, endorse, indorse, plump for, plunk for


Pattern of useSomebody ----s something.
Somebody ----s somebody


Broader (hypernym)approve, O.K., okay, sanction


Narrower (hyponym)champion, defend, guarantee, warrant


Verb groupback, endorse, indorse, second

4. support (contact) be the physical support of; carry the weight of


SamplesThe beam holds up the roof.
He supported me with one hand while I balanced on the beam.
What's holding that mirror?.


Synonymshold, hold up, sustain


Pattern of useSomebody ----s something.
Somebody ----s somebody.
Something ----s somebody.
Something ----s something


Narrower (hyponym)block, brace, bracket, buoy, buoy up, carry, chock, pole, prop, prop up, scaffold, shore, shore up, truss, underpin

5. support (cognition) establish or strengthen as with new evidence or facts


SamplesHis story confirmed my doubts.
The evidence supports the defendant.


Synonymsaffirm, confirm, corroborate, substantiate, sustain


Pattern of useSomebody ----s something.
Something ----s something.
Somebody ----s that CLAUSE


Narrower (hyponym)back, back up, demonstrate, document, establish, prove, shew, show, validate, verify, vouch


Antonymsnegate, contradict

6. support (communication) adopt as a belief


SamplesI subscribe to your view on abortion.


Synonymssubscribe


Pattern of useSomebody ----s PP


Broader (hypernym)agree, concord, concur, hold


Entailapprove, O.K., okay, sanction

7. support (stative) support with evidence or authority or make more certain or confirm


SamplesThe stories and claims were born out by the evidence.


Synonymsbear out, corroborate, underpin


Pattern of useSomebody ----s something.
Something ----s something


Broader (hypernym)agree, check, correspond, fit, gibe, jibe, match, tally

8. support (communication) argue or speak in defense of


SamplesShe supported the motion to strike.


Synonymsdefend, fend for


Pattern of useSomebody ----s something.
Somebody ----s somebody.
Something ----s somebody.
Something ----s something


Broader (hypernym)argue, reason


Narrower (hyponym)apologise, apologize, excuse, justify, rationalise, rationalize, stand up, stick up, uphold

9. support (creation) play a subordinate role to (another performer)


SamplesOlivier supported Gielgud beautifully in the second act.


Pattern of useSomebody ----s somebody


Broader (hypernym)act, play, represent


Domain categorydramatic art, dramatics, dramaturgy, theater, theatre

10. support (communication) be a regular customer or client of


SamplesWe patronize this store.
Our sponsor kept our art studio going for as long as he could.


Synonymskeep going, patronage, patronise, patronize


Pattern of useSomebody ----s something.
Somebody ----s somebody


Broader (hypernym)foster, nurture


Verb groupkeep going, run on

11. support (cognition) put up with something or somebody unpleasant


SamplesI cannot bear his constant criticism.
The new secretary had to endure a lot of unprofessional remarks.
He learned to tolerate the heat.
She stuck out two years in a miserable marriage.


Synonymsabide, bear, brook, digest, endure, put up, stand, stick out, stomach, suffer, tolerate


Pattern of useSomebody ----s something.
Somebody ----s somebody


Broader (hypernym)allow, countenance, let, permit


Narrower (hyponym)accept, bear up, hold still for, live with, pay, sit out, stand for, swallow, take a joke, take lying down


Verb groupsuffer









Based on WordNet 3.0 copyright © Princeton University.
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