Library / English Dictionary

SUPPORT

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (noun) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Documentary validation

Example:

the strongest support for this view is the work of Jones

Synonyms:

documentation; support

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Hypernyms ("support" is a kind of...):

proof; substantiation; validation (the act of validating; finding or testing the truth of something)

Derivation:

support (establish or strengthen as with new evidence or facts)

support (support with evidence or authority or make more certain or confirm)

Sense 2

Meaning:

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

Example:

they called for artillery support

Synonyms:

reenforcement; reinforcement; support

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Hypernyms ("support" is a kind of...):

military operation; operation (activity by a military or naval force (as a maneuver or campaign))

Domain category:

armed forces; armed services; military; military machine; war machine (the military forces of a nation)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "support"):

close support (close-in firing by one unit against an enemy engaged by another unit)

Sense 3

Meaning:

The act of bearing the weight of or strengthening

Example:

he leaned against the wall for support

Synonyms:

support; supporting

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Hypernyms ("support" is a kind of...):

activity (any specific behavior)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "support"):

propping up; shoring; shoring up (the act of propping up with shores)

dangling; hanging; suspension (the act of suspending something (hanging it from above so it moves freely))

Derivation:

support (be the physical support of; carry the weight of)

Sense 4

Meaning:

Aiding the cause or policy or interests of

Example:

they developed a scheme of mutual support

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Hypernyms ("support" is a kind of...):

aid; assist; assistance; help (the activity of contributing to the fulfillment of a need or furtherance of an effort or purpose)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "support"):

adherence; adhesion; attachment (faithful support for a cause or political party or religion)

advocacy; protagonism (active support of an idea or cause etc.; especially the act of pleading or arguing for something)

sponsorship (the act of sponsoring (either officially or financially))

endorsement; indorsement (the act of endorsing)

approval; approving; blessing (the formal act of approving)

reassurance (the act of reassuring; restoring someone's confidence)

Derivation:

support (adopt as a belief)

support (argue or speak in defense of)

support (be behind; approve of)

Sense 5

Meaning:

The activity of providing for or maintaining by supplying with money or necessities

Example:

they gave him emotional support during difficult times

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Hypernyms ("support" is a kind of...):

activity (any specific behavior)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "support"):

maintenance; sustainment; sustenance; sustentation; upkeep (the act of sustaining life by food or providing a means of subsistence)

logistic assistance; logistic support (assistance between and within military commands)

Derivation:

support (support materially or financially)

Sense 6

Meaning:

Any device that bears the weight of another thing

Example:

there was no place to attach supports for a shelf

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Hypernyms ("support" is a kind of...):

device (an instrumentality invented for a particular purpose)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "support"):

andiron; dog; dog-iron; firedog (metal supports for logs in a fireplace)

arch support (a support for the arch of the foot)

back; backrest (a support that you can lean against while sitting)

backboard (a board used to support the back of someone or something)

baluster (one of a number of closely spaced supports for a railing)

bar (a horizontal rod that serves as a support for gymnasts as they perform exercises)

base; pedestal; stand (a support or foundation)

bearing (a rotating support placed between moving parts to allow them to move easily)

bearing wall (any wall supporting a floor or the roof of a building)

bedpost (any of 4 vertical supports at the corners of a bedstead)

bookend (a support placed at the end of a row of books to keep them upright (on a shelf or table))

brace (a support that steadies or strengthens something else)

bracket; wall bracket (a support projecting from a wall (as to hold a shelf))

bridge (a wooden support that holds the strings up)

foot (a support resembling a pedal extremity)

foothold; footing (a place providing support for the foot in standing or climbing)

handrest (a support for the hand)

hanger (anything from which something can be hung)

harness (a support consisting of an arrangement of straps for holding something to the body (especially one supporting a person suspended from a parachute))

harp (a pair of curved vertical supports for a lampshade)

headstock (the stationary support in a machine or power tool that supports and drives a revolving part (as a chuck or the spindle on a lathe))

leg (one of the supports for a piece of furniture)

perch (support consisting of a branch or rod that serves as a resting place (especially for a bird))

pier (a support for two adjacent bridge spans)

pier ((architecture) a vertical supporting structure (as a portion of wall between two doors or windows))

pillow block (a cast-iron or steel block for supporting a journal or bearing)

rack; stand (a support for displaying various articles)

rest (a support on which things can be put)

rib (support resembling the rib of an animal)

rocker (a curved support that permits the supported object to rock to and fro)

seat (any support where you can sit (especially the part of a chair or bench etc. on which you sit))

shelf (a support that consists of a horizontal surface for holding objects)

radius; spoke; wheel spoke (support consisting of a radial member of a wheel joining the hub to the rim)

stair; step (support consisting of a place to rest the foot while ascending or descending a stairway)

stirrup; stirrup iron (support consisting of metal loops into which rider's feet go)

gunstock; stock (the handle of a handgun or the butt end of a rifle or shotgun or part of the support of a machine gun or artillery gun)

structural member (support that is a constituent part of any structure or building)

tailstock (support consisting of the movable part of a lathe that slides along the bed in alignment with the headstock and is locked into position to support the free end of the workpiece)

football tee; tee (support holding a football on end and above the ground preparatory to the kickoff)

undercarriage (framework that serves as a support for the body of a vehicle)

yoke (support consisting of a wooden frame across the shoulders that enables a person to carry buckets hanging from each end)

Derivation:

support (be the physical support of; carry the weight of)

Sense 7

Meaning:

Supporting structure that holds up or provides a foundation

Example:

the statue stood on a marble support

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Hypernyms ("support" is a kind of...):

supporting structure (a structure that serves to support something)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "support"):

abutment (a masonry support that touches and directly receives thrust or pressure of an arch or bridge)

architrave (the lowest part of an entablature; rests immediately on the capitals of the columns)

basement (the ground floor facade or interior in Renaissance architecture)

buttress; buttressing (a support usually of stone or brick; supports the wall of a building)

base; foot; foundation; fundament; groundwork; substructure; understructure (lowest support of a structure)

footstall; pedestal; plinth (an architectural support or base (as for a column or statue))

prop (a support placed beneath or against something to keep it from shaking or falling)

Derivation:

support (be the physical support of; carry the weight of)

Sense 8

Meaning:

Something providing immaterial assistance to a person or cause or interest

Example:

the team enjoyed the support of their fans

Classified under:

Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents

Hypernyms ("support" is a kind of...):

influence (a cognitive factor that tends to have an effect on what you do)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "support"):

anchor; backbone; keystone; linchpin; lynchpin; mainstay (a central cohesive source of support and stability)

lifeline (support that enables people to survive or to continue doing something (often by providing an essential connection))

Derivation:

support (give moral or psychological support, aid, or courage to)

Sense 9

Meaning:

A musical part (vocal or instrumental) that supports or provides background for other musical parts

Synonyms:

accompaniment; backup; musical accompaniment; support

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Hypernyms ("support" is a kind of...):

part; voice (the melody carried by a particular voice or instrument in polyphonic music)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "support"):

descant; discant (a decorative musical accompaniment (often improvised) added above a basic melody)

vamp (an improvised musical accompaniment)

Derivation:

support (play a subordinate role to (another performer))

Sense 10

Meaning:

The financial means whereby one lives

Example:

he could no longer earn his own livelihood

Synonyms:

bread and butter; keep; livelihood; living; support; sustenance

Classified under:

Nouns denoting possession and transfer of possession

Hypernyms ("support" is a kind of...):

resource (available source of wealth; a new or reserve supply that can be drawn upon when needed)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "support"):

amenities; comforts; conveniences; creature comforts (things that make you comfortable and at ease)

maintenance (means of maintenance of a family or group)

meal ticket (a source of income or livelihood)

subsistence (minimal (or marginal) resources for subsisting)

Derivation:

support (support materially or financially)

Sense 11

Meaning:

Financial resources provided to make some project possible

Example:

the foundation provided support for the experiment

Synonyms:

backing; financial backing; financial support; funding; support

Classified under:

Nouns denoting possession and transfer of possession

Hypernyms ("support" is a kind of...):

resource (available source of wealth; a new or reserve supply that can be drawn upon when needed)

Derivation:

support (support materially or financially)

 II. (verb) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Establish or strengthen as with new evidence or facts

Example:

The evidence supports the defendant

Synonyms:

affirm; confirm; corroborate; substantiate; support; sustain

Classified under:

Verbs of thinking, judging, analyzing, doubting

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "support"):

back; back up (establish as valid or genuine)

vouch (give supporting evidence)

verify (confirm the truth of)

demonstrate; establish; prove; shew; show (establish the validity of something, as by an example, explanation or experiment)

document (support or supply with references)

validate (prove valid; show or confirm the validity of something)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something
Somebody ----s that CLAUSE

Derivation:

support (documentary validation)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Put up with something or somebody unpleasant

Example:

She stuck out two years in a miserable marriage

Synonyms:

abide; bear; brook; digest; endure; put up; stand; stick out; stomach; suffer; support; tolerate

Classified under:

Verbs of thinking, judging, analyzing, doubting

Hypernyms (to "support" is one way to...):

allow; countenance; let; permit (consent to, give permission)

Verb group:

suffer (experience (emotional) pain)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "support"):

accept; live with; swallow (tolerate or accommodate oneself to)

hold still for; stand for (tolerate or bear)

bear up (endure cheerfully)

take lying down (suffer without protest; suffer or endure passively)

take a joke (listen to a joke at one's own expense)

sit out (endure to the end)

pay (bear (a cost or penalty), in recompense for some action)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody

Sense 3

Meaning:

Adopt as a belief

Example:

I subscribe to your view on abortion

Synonyms:

subscribe; support

Classified under:

Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing

Hypernyms (to "support" is one way to...):

agree; concord; concur; hold (be in accord; be in agreement)

"Support" entails doing...:

approve; O.K.; okay; sanction (give sanction to)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s PP

Derivation:

support (aiding the cause or policy or interests of)

Sense 4

Meaning:

Argue or speak in defense of

Example:

She supported the motion to strike

Synonyms:

defend; fend for; support

Classified under:

Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing

Hypernyms (to "support" is one way to...):

argue; reason (present reasons and arguments)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "support"):

apologise; apologize; excuse; rationalise; rationalize (defend, explain, clear away, or make excuses for by reasoning)

take sides with; take someone's side (support someone (as in an argument))

stand up; stick up (defend against attack or criticism)

uphold (stand up for; stick up for; of causes, principles, or ideals)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody
Something ----s somebody
Something ----s something

Derivation:

supportive (furnishing support or assistance)

supporter (a person who backs a politician or a team etc.)

supporter (someone who supports or champions something)

support (aiding the cause or policy or interests of)

Sense 5

Meaning:

Be a regular customer or client of

Example:

Our sponsor kept our art studio going for as long as he could

Synonyms:

keep going; patronage; patronise; patronize; support

Classified under:

Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing

Hypernyms (to "support" is one way to...):

foster; nurture (help develop, help grow)

Verb group:

keep going; run on (continue uninterrupted)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody

Derivation:

supporter (someone who supports or champions something)

Sense 6

Meaning:

Be the physical support of; carry the weight of

Example:

What's holding that mirror?

Synonyms:

hold; hold up; support; sustain

Classified under:

Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "support"):

scaffold (provide with a scaffold for support)

block (support, secure, or raise with a block)

carry (bear or be able to bear the weight, pressure,or responsibility of)

chock (support on chocks)

buoy; buoy up (keep afloat)

pole (support on poles)

bracket (support with brackets)

underpin (support from beneath)

prop; prop up; shore; shore up (support by placing against something solid or rigid)

truss (support structurally)

brace (support by bracing)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody
Something ----s somebody
Something ----s something

Derivation:

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

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

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

supporter (a band (usually elastic) worn around the leg to hold up a stocking (or around the arm to hold up a sleeve))

supporting (the act of bearing the weight of or strengthening)

Sense 7

Meaning:

Play a subordinate role to (another performer)

Example:

Olivier supported Gielgud beautifully in the second act

Classified under:

Verbs of sewing, baking, painting, performing

Hypernyms (to "support" is one way to...):

act; play; represent (play a role or part)

Domain category:

dramatic art; dramatics; dramaturgy; theater; theatre (the art of writing and producing plays)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s somebody

Derivation:

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

Sense 8

Meaning:

Support materially or financially

Example:

The scholarship supported me when I was in college

Classified under:

Verbs of buying, selling, owning

Hypernyms (to "support" is one way to...):

give (transfer possession of something concrete or abstract to somebody)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "support"):

fund (furnish money for)

subsidise; subsidize (support through subsidies)

bring home the bacon; provide (supply means of subsistence; earn a living)

see through (support financially through a period of time)

patronise; patronize; sponsor (assume sponsorship of)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody

Derivation:

support (financial resources provided to make some project possible)

support (the financial means whereby one lives)

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

Sense 9

Meaning:

Be behind; approve of

Example:

I backed Kennedy in 1960

Synonyms:

back; endorse; indorse; plump for; plunk for; support

Classified under:

Verbs of political and social activities and events

Hypernyms (to "support" is one way to...):

approve; O.K.; okay; sanction (give sanction to)

Verb group:

back; endorse; indorse; second (give support or one's approval to)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "support"):

guarantee; warrant (stand behind and guarantee the quality, accuracy, or condition of)

champion; defend (protect or fight for as a champion)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody

Derivation:

support (aiding the cause or policy or interests of)

supporter (a person who backs a politician or a team etc.)

supportive (furnishing support or assistance)

Sense 10

Meaning:

Give moral or psychological support, aid, or courage to

Example:

Her children always backed her up

Synonyms:

back up; support

Classified under:

Verbs of political and social activities and events

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "support"):

sponsor (assume responsibility for or leadership of)

buy at; frequent; patronise; patronize; shop; shop at; sponsor (do one's shopping at; do business with; be a customer or client of)

aid; assist; help (give help or assistance; be of service)

advance; boost; encourage; further; promote (contribute to the progress or growth of)

root (cheer for)

undergird (lend moral support to)

back; endorse; indorse; second (give support or one's approval to)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody
Something ----s somebody
Something ----s something

Sentence example:

Sam cannot support Sue

Derivation:

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

supporter (a person who contributes to the fulfillment of a need or furtherance of an effort or purpose)

supporter (someone who supports or champions something)

supportive (furnishing support or assistance)

Sense 11

Meaning:

Support with evidence or authority or make more certain or confirm

Example:

The stories and claims were born out by the evidence

Synonyms:

bear out; corroborate; support; underpin

Classified under:

Verbs of being, having, spatial relations

Hypernyms (to "support" is one way to...):

agree; check; correspond; fit; gibe; jibe; match; tally (be compatible, similar or consistent; coincide in their characteristics)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something

Derivation:

support (documentary validation)

Credits

 Context examples: 

Her resolution was supported by Isabella's behaviour in their parting interview.

(Northanger Abbey, by Jane Austen)

In the center of the chair was an enormous Head, without a body to support it or any arms or legs whatever.

(The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, by L. Frank Baum)

Suddenly the door opened, and a woman as old as the hills, who supported herself on crutches, came creeping out.

(Fairy Tales, by The Brothers Grimm)

The results support efforts to design new antibacterial drugs using natural clays.

(Clay fights MRSA, other 'superbugs' in wounds, National Science Foundation)

In some instances, the placenta even supported the female fetus better than the placenta of a younger mother.

(Placenta changes could mean male offspring of older mums more likely to develop heart problems in later life, University of Cambridge)

Scientists thought this pattern was hyper-efficient and evolved to support flight.

(Following the lizard lung labyrinth, National Science Foundation)

It holds the VS2 material together, providing mechanical support.

(Creating Better Lithium-Ion Batteries Made Possible with New Discovery, The Titi Tudorancea Bulletin)

The fallopian tubes, ovaries, and supporting ligaments of the uterus.

(Appendage of the Uterus, NLM, Medical Subject Headings)

Continue for the present to write to me by every opportunity: I may receive your letters on some occasions when I need them most to support my spirits.

(Frankenstein, by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley)

Never deceive him by look or word, Meg, and he will give you the confidence you deserve, the support you need.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)