| Support 1. (v. t.) To bear by being under; to keep from falling; to uphold; to sustain, in a literal or physical sense; to prop up; to bear the weight of; as, a pillar supports a structure; an abutment supports an arch; the trunk of a tree supports the branches. 2. (v. t.) To endure without being overcome, exhausted, or changed in character; to sustain; as, to support pain, distress, or misfortunes. 3. (v. t.) To keep from failing or sinking; to solace under afflictive circumstances; to assist; to encourage; to defend; as, to support the courage or spirits. 4. (v. t.) To assume and carry successfully, as the part of an actor; to represent or act; to sustain; as, to support the character of King Lear. 5. (v. t.) To furnish with the means of sustenance or livelihood; to maintain; to provide for; as, to support a family; to support the ministers of the gospel. 6. (v. t.) To carry on; to enable to continue; to maintain; as, to support a war or a contest; to support an argument or a debate. 7. (v. t.) To verify; to make good; to substantiate; to establish; to sustain; as, the testimony is not sufficient to support the charges; the evidence will not support the statements or allegations. 8. (v. t.) To vindicate; to maintain; to defend successfully; as, to be able to support one's own cause. 9. (v. t.) To uphold by aid or countenance; to aid; to help; to back up; as, to support a friend or a party; to support the present administration. 10. (n.) A attend as an honorary assistant; as, a chairman supported by a vice chairman; O'Connell left the prison, supported by his two sons. 11. (n.) The act, state, or operation of supporting, upholding, or sustaining. 12. (n.) That which upholds, sustains, or keeps from falling, as a prop, a pillar, or a foundation of any kind. 13. (n.) That which maintains or preserves from being overcome, falling, yielding, sinking, giving way, or the like; subsistence; maintenance; assistance; reinforcement; as, he gave his family a good support, the support of national credit; the assaulting column had the support of a battery. Thesaurus Entries A-frame, Maecenas, OK, TLC, abettor, abide, abide with, accept, acceptance, accession, accommodate, accredit, acquiescence, act a part, act out, admirer, advance, advocate, affirm, affirmation, afford, afford hope, afford support, aficionado, agreement, agreement in principle, aid, aid and comfort, aliment, alimentation, alimony, allege in support, allotment, allowance, alpenstock, amen, angel, annuity, answer, anvil, apologist, applaud, approve, argue for, arm, assent, assentation, assert, assist, assistance, assurance, assure, athletic supporter, attend to, attest, attestation, augur well, authenticate, authentication, authorize, autograph, auxiliaries, baby-sit, back, back rest, back up, backbone, backer, backing, backing up, backstop, backup, bandage, bandeau, bankroll, base, beam, bear, bear out, bear up, bear with, bearer, bearing out, beef up, benefit, bid fair, bide, bit player, block, blow to, bolster, bolster up, bolstering, boost, bounty, bra, brace, brace up, bracer, bracket, brassiere, brave, bread, brook, buck up, buff, buoy up, buttress, buttressing, cane, capitalization, capitalize, care, care for, carrier, carry, case harden, certification, certify, cervix, champion, chaperon, cheer, cherish, circumstantiate, circumstantiation, clothe, column, comfort, commend, compliance, concurrence, condolence, confirm, confirmation, consent, conservancy, conservation, conservationism, conserve, consolation, contend for, contribute, copyright, corroborate, corroboration, corroboratory evidence, corset, cosign, countenance, counter, countersign, cradle, create a role, crook, crosstree, crutch, cry up, cue rest, cushion, daily bread, defend, defender, deficit financing, dependence, depict, depletion allowance, document, documentation, dole, donate, ease, easel, easement, economic support, elect, embolden, enact, encourage, encouragement, encourager, endorse, endorser, endow, endowment, endure, environmental conservation, espouse, exponent, extra, face, fan, favor, favorer, fellowship, figurant, figurante, fill, fill up, finance, finances, financial assistance, financial backing, financial support, financing, find, forest conservation, forest management, fortification, fortify, fortifying, forward, foster, foundation, foundation garment, frame, friend at court, fulcrum, fund, funding, furnish, general agreement, gird, girdle, give, give hope, give permission, give support, give the go-ahead, give the imprimatur, give thumbs up, go, go treat, good offices, grant, grant-in-aid, grubstake, guaranteed annual income, guard, guy, guywire, hand, hang in, hang in there, hang tough, harden, have good prospects, hearten, hearty assent, heel, help, hob, hod, hold |