support
Other forms: supported; supporting; supports
The verb support means to bear weight or load, or otherwise support. If you build a house with blocks, you can safely remove some of them, but if you remove one that is supporting the weight of the blocks above it, the whole structure can collapse. Timber!
If you agree with or approve of a cause, person, idea, or the like, you support it. If you support a certain charity, you may donate your time or money to the cause. The verb support also means to strengthen with new evidence; to corroborate. When politicians make an argument, they support it by providing "facts and figures." Your job is to figure out whether their evidence has been twisted to support their positions. Good luck.
Definitions of support
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the act of bearing the weight of or strengthening“he leaned against the wall for support”
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synonyms:
supporting
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types:
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propping up, shoring, shoring up
the act of propping up with shores
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dangling, hanging, suspension
the act of suspending something (hanging it from above so it moves freely)
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type of:
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activity
any specific behavior
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propping up, shoring, shoring up
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any device that bears the weight of another thing“there was no place to attach supports for a shelf”
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types:
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andiron, dog, dog-iron, firedog
metal supports for logs in a fireplace
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arch support
a support for the arch of the foot
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back, backrest
a support that you can lean against while sitting
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backboard
a board used to support the back of someone or something
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baluster
one of a number of closely spaced supports for a railing
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bar
a horizontal rod that serves as a support for gymnasts as they perform exercises
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base, pedestal, stand
a support or foundation
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bearing
a rotating support placed between moving parts to allow them to move easily
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bearing wall
any wall supporting a floor or the roof of a building
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bedpost
any of 4 vertical supports at the corners of a bedstead
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bookend
a support placed at the end of a row of books to keep them upright (on a shelf or table)
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brace
a support that steadies or strengthens something else
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bracket, wall bracket
a support projecting from a wall (as to hold a shelf)
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bridge
a wooden support that holds the strings up
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foot
a support resembling a pedal extremity
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foothold, footing
a place providing support for the foot in standing or climbing
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handrest
a support for the hand
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hanger
anything from which something can be hung
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harness
a support consisting of an arrangement of straps for holding something to the body (especially one supporting a person suspended from a parachute)
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harp
a pair of curved vertical supports for a lampshade
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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)
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leg
one of the supports for a piece of furniture
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perch
support consisting of a branch or rod that serves as a resting place (especially for a bird)
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pier
a support for two adjacent bridge spans
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pier
(architecture) a vertical supporting structure (as a portion of wall between two doors or windows)
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pillow block
a cast-iron or steel block for supporting a journal or bearing
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rack, stand
a support for displaying various articles
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rest
a support on which things can be put
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rib
support resembling the rib of an animal
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rocker
a curved support that permits the supported object to rock to and fro
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seat
any support where you can sit (especially the part of a chair or bench etc. on which you sit)
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shelf
a support that consists of a horizontal surface for holding objects
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radius, spoke, wheel spoke
support consisting of a radial member of a wheel joining the hub to the rim
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stair, step
support consisting of a place to rest the foot while ascending or descending a stairway
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stirrup, stirrup iron
support consisting of metal loops into which rider's feet go
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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
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structural member
support that is a constituent part of any structure or building
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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
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football tee, tee
support holding a football on end and above the ground preparatory to the kickoff
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undercarriage
framework that serves as a support for the body of a vehicle
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yoke
support consisting of a wooden frame across the shoulders that enables a person to carry buckets hanging from each end
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barre
a horizontal rod that ballet dancers use as a support as they perform certain exercises
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angle bracket, angle iron
an L-shaped metal bracket
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ankle brace
a brace worn to strengthen the ankle
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armrest
a support for the arm
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backbench
any of the seats occupied by backbenchers in the House of Commons
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back brace
a brace worn to support the back
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backseat
a seat at the back of a vehicle (especially the seat at the back of an automobile)
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ball bearing, needle bearing, roller bearing
bearings containing small metal balls
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beam
long thick piece of wood or metal or concrete, etc., used in construction
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balloon seat, bell seat
a seat that has a bell shape (on some 18th century chairs)
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bicycle seat, saddle
a seat for the rider of a bicycle
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bier
a stand to support a corpse or a coffin prior to burial
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boatswain's chair, bosun's chair
a seat consisting of a board and a rope; used while working aloft or over the side of a ship
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bookshelf
a shelf on which to keep books
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brace, bracing
a structural member used to stiffen a framework
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brass monkey
a metal stand that formerly held cannon balls on sailing ships
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bucket seat
a low single seat as in cars or planes
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cantle
the back of a saddle seat
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car seat
a seat in a car
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chair
a particular seat in an orchestra
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chin rest
a rest on which a violinist can place the chin
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clothes hanger, coat hanger, dress hanger
a hanger that is shaped like a person's shoulders and used to hang garments on
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cockpit
seat where the driver sits while driving a racing car
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console
an ornamental scroll-shaped bracket (especially one used to support a wall fixture)
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corbel, truss
(architecture) a triangular bracket of brick or stone (usually of slight extent)
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corbel step, corbie-step, corbiestep, crow step
(architecture) a step on the top of a gable wall
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crossbench
any of the seats in the House of Commons used by members who do not vote regularly with either the government or the Opposition
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cruet-stand
a stand for cruets containing various condiments
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dress rack
a rack used primarily to display dresses for sale in a store
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capsule, ejection seat, ejector seat
a pilot's seat in an airplane that can be forcibly ejected in the case of an emergency; then the pilot descends by parachute
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fifth wheel
a steering bearing that enables the front axle of a horse-drawn wagon to rotate
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front bench
any of the front seats in the House of Commons that are reserved for ministers or former ministers
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headrest
a rest for the head
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hob
a shelf beside an open fire where something can be kept warm
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houdah, howdah
a (usually canopied) seat for riding on the back of a camel or elephant
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journal bearing
the bearing of a journal
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jump seat
a folding seat in an automobile
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knee brace
a brace worn to strengthen the knee
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ladder-back
the backrest of a chair that consists of two uprights with connecting slats
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landing gear
an undercarriage that supports the weight of the plane when it is on the ground
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magazine rack
a rack for displaying magazines
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chimneypiece, mantel, mantelpiece, mantle, mantlepiece
shelf that projects from wall above fireplace
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modillion
(architecture) one of a set of ornamental brackets under a cornice
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music rack, music stand
a light stand for holding sheets of printed music
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neck brace
a brace worn to steady the neck
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overmantel
a shelf over a mantelpiece
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pillion
a seat behind the rider of a horse or motorbike etc.
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pistol grip
a handle (as of a gun or saw) shaped like the butt of a pistol
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plane seat
a seat on a commercial airliner
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plate
structural member consisting of a horizontal beam that provides bearing and anchorage
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riser
structural member consisting of the vertical part of a stair or step
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roost
a perch on which domestic fowl rest or sleep
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rumble
a servant's seat (or luggage compartment) in the rear of a carriage
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rumble seat
a folding outside seat in the back of some early cars
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saddle
a seat for the rider of a horse or camel
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saddle seat
a chair seat that is slightly concave and sometimes has a thickened ridge in the center
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sconce
a decorative wall bracket for holding candles or other sources of light
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screw thread, thread
the raised helical rib going around a screw
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shelf bracket
a bracket to support a shelf
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sill
structural member consisting of a continuous horizontal timber forming the lowest member of a framework or supporting structure
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skeg
a brace that extends from the rear of the keel to support the rudderpost
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sliding seat
rower's seat that slides fore and aft
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spice rack
a rack for displaying containers filled with spices
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staddle
a base or platform on which hay or corn is stacked
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strap
hanger consisting of a loop of leather suspended from the ceiling of a bus or train; passengers hold onto it
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thrust bearing
a bearing designed to take thrusts parallel to the axis of revolution
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toehold
a small foothold used in climbing
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tread
structural member consisting of the horizontal part of a stair or step
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tripod
a three-legged rack used for support
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trivet
a stand, often with short feet, used under a hot dish on a table
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trivet
a three-legged metal stand for supporting a cooking vessel in a hearth
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upright, vertical
a vertical structural member as a post or stake
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type of:
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device
an instrumentality invented for a particular purpose
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supporting structure that holds up or provides a foundation“the statue stood on a marble support”
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types:
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abutment
a masonry support that touches and directly receives thrust or pressure of an arch or bridge
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architrave
the lowest part of an entablature; rests immediately on the capitals of the columns
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basement
the ground floor facade or interior in Renaissance architecture
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buttress, buttressing
a support usually of stone or brick; supports the wall of a building
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base, foot, foundation, fundament, groundwork, substructure, understructure
lowest support of a structure
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footstall, pedestal, plinth
an architectural support or base (as for a column or statue)
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prop
a support placed beneath or against something to keep it from shaking or falling
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bed
a foundation of earth or rock supporting a road or railroad track
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arc-boutant, flying buttress
a buttress that stands apart from the main structure and connected to it by an arch
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pitprop, sprag
a wooden prop used to support the roof of a mine
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raft foundation
a foundation (usually on soft ground) consisting of an extended layer of reinforced concrete
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socle
a plain plinth that supports a wall
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type of:
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supporting structure
a structure that serves to support something
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be the physical support of; carry the weight of“He supported me with one hand while I balanced on the beam”
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types:
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scaffold
provide with a scaffold for support
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block
support, secure, or raise with a block
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carry
bear or be able to bear the weight, pressure,or responsibility of
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chock
support on chocks
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buoy, buoy up
keep afloat
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pole
support on poles
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bracket
support with brackets
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underpin
support from beneath
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prop, prop up, shore, shore up
support by placing against something solid or rigid
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truss
support structurally
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brace
support by bracing
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bolster
prop up with a pillow or bolster
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tread
brace (an archer's bow) by pressing the foot against the center
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the activity of providing for or maintaining by supplying with money or necessities“his support kept the family together”“they gave him emotional support during difficult times”
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types:
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maintenance, sustainment, sustenance, sustentation, upkeep
the act of sustaining life by food or providing a means of subsistence
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logistic assistance, logistic support
assistance between and within military commands
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integrated logistic support
the pooling of specific resources by subscribing nations for the support of some joint operation
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international logistic support, mutual aid
arrangements made between nations to assist each other
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interagency support, interdepartmental support
provision of logistic (or administrative) support by one or more of the military services to one or more departments or agencies of the United States government
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inter-service support
action by one military service to provide logistic (or administrative) support to another military service
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type of:
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activity
any specific behavior
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a military operation (often involving new supplies of men and materiel) to strengthen a military force or aid in the performance of its mission“they called for artillery support”
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synonyms:
reenforcement, reinforcement
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types:
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close support
close-in firing by one unit against an enemy engaged by another unit
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type of:
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military operation, operation
activity by a military or naval force (as a maneuver or campaign)
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close support
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the financial means whereby one lives“he applied to the state for support”
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synonyms:
bread and butter, keep, livelihood, living, sustenance
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types:
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amenities, comforts, conveniences, creature comforts
things that make you comfortable and at ease
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maintenance
means of maintenance of a family or group
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meal ticket
a source of income or livelihood
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subsistence
minimal (or marginal) resources for subsisting
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type of:
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resource
available source of wealth; a new or reserve supply that can be drawn upon when needed
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financial resources provided to make some project possible“the foundation provided support for the experiment”
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synonyms:
backing, financial backing, financial support, funding
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type of:
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resource
available source of wealth; a new or reserve supply that can be drawn upon when needed
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resource
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something providing immaterial assistance to a person or cause or interest“the policy found little public support”“his faith was all the support he needed”“the team enjoyed the support of their fans”
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types:
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anchor, backbone, keystone, linchpin, lynchpin, mainstay
a central cohesive source of support and stability
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lifeline
support that enables people to survive or to continue doing something (often by providing an essential connection)
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type of:
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influence
a cognitive factor that tends to have an effect on what you do
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anchor, backbone, keystone, linchpin, lynchpin, mainstay
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aiding the cause or policy or interests of“the president no longer has the support of his own party”“they developed a scheme of mutual support”
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types:
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adherence, adhesion, attachment
faithful support for a cause or political party or religion
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advocacy, protagonism
active support of an idea or cause etc.; especially the act of pleading or arguing for something
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sponsorship
the act of sponsoring (either officially or financially)
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endorsement, indorsement
the act of endorsing
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approval, approving, blessing
the formal act of approving
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reassurance
the act of reassuring; restoring someone's confidence
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acceptance, acceptation, adoption, espousal
the act of accepting with approval; favorable reception
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ecclesiasticism
excessive adherence to ecclesiastical forms and activities
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cabalism, kabbalism
adherence to some extreme traditional theological concept or interpretation
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royalism
adherence or attachment to a monarchy or to the principle of monarchal government
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traditionalism
adherence to tradition (especially in cultural or religious matters)
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backing, backup, championship, patronage
the act of providing approval and support
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drumbeat
a vehement and vociferous advocacy of a cause
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insistence, insistency
the act of insisting on something
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urging
the act of earnestly supporting or encouraging
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aegis, auspices, egis, protection
kindly endorsement and guidance
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admiration, appreciation
a favorable judgment
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reinforcement, reward
an act performed to strengthen approved behavior
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type of:
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aid, assist, assistance, help
the activity of contributing to the fulfillment of a need or furtherance of an effort or purpose
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support materially or financially“The scholarship supported me when I was in college”
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types:
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fund
furnish money for
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subsidise, subsidize
support through subsidies
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bring home the bacon, provide
supply means of subsistence; earn a living
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see through
support financially through a period of time
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patronise, patronize, sponsor
assume sponsorship of
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grubstake
supply with funds in return for a promised share of profits
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bankroll
provide with sufficient funds; finance
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absorb, take over
take up, as of debts or payments
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cosponsor
sponsor together with another sponsor
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type of:
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give
transfer possession of something concrete or abstract to somebody
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give moral or psychological support, aid, or courage to“She supported him during the illness”
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synonyms:
back up
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types:
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sponsor
assume responsibility for or leadership of
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buy at, frequent, patronise, patronize, shop, shop at, sponsor
do one's shopping at; do business with; be a customer or client of
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aid, assist, help
give help or assistance; be of service
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advance, boost, encourage, further, promote
contribute to the progress or growth of
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undergird
lend moral support to
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back, endorse, indorse, second
give support or one's approval to
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empower
give someone confidence, strength, and self-determination
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alleviate, ease, facilitate
make easier
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connive at, wink at
give one's silent approval to
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assist, attend, attend to, serve, wait on
work for or be a servant to
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benefact
help as a benefactor
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help out
be of help, as in a particular situation of need
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subserve
be helpful or useful
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succor, succour
help in a difficult situation
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expedite, hasten
speed up the progress of; facilitate
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avail
be of use to, be useful to
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care, give care
provide care for
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bootstrap
help oneself, often through improvised means
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foster, further
promote the growth of
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spur
incite or stimulate
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help
contribute to the furtherance of
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carry
take further or advance
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feed
support or promote
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conduce, contribute, lead
be conducive to
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be behind; approve of
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types:
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guarantee, warrant
stand behind and guarantee the quality, accuracy, or condition of
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champion, defend
protect or fight for as a champion
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cover, insure, underwrite
protect by insurance
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certify, endorse, indorse
guarantee as meeting a certain standard
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argue or speak in defense of“She supported the motion to strike”
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types:
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apologise, apologize, excuse, justify, rationalise, rationalize
defend, explain, clear away, or make excuses for by reasoning
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stand up, stick up
defend against attack or criticism
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uphold
stand up for; stick up for; of causes, principles, or ideals
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color, colour, gloss
give a deceptive explanation or excuse for
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plead
offer as an excuse or plea
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extenuate, mitigate, palliate
lessen or to try to lessen the seriousness or extent of
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be a regular customer or client of
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synonyms:
keep going, patronage, patronise, patronize
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keep going, run on
continue uninterrupted
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keep going, run on
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documentary validation“the strongest support for this view is the work of Jones”
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synonyms:
documentation
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type of:
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proof, substantiation, validation
the act of validating; finding or testing the truth of something
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proof, substantiation, validation
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establish or strengthen as with new evidence or facts“The evidence supports the defendant”
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synonyms:
affirm, confirm, corroborate, substantiate, sustain
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types:
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back, back up
establish as valid or genuine
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vouch
give supporting evidence
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verify
confirm the truth of
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demonstrate, establish, prove, shew, show
establish the validity of something, as by an example, explanation or experiment
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document
support or supply with references
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validate
prove valid; show or confirm the validity of something
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check, check off, mark, mark off, tick, tick off
put a check mark on or near or next to
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ascertain, assure, check, control, ensure, insure, see, see to it
be careful or certain to do something; make certain of something
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check
verify by consulting a source or authority
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prove oneself
show one's ability or courage
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prove
prove formally; demonstrate by a mathematical, formal proof
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source
specify the origin of
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contradict, negate
prove negative; show to be false
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stultify
prove to be of unsound mind or demonstrate someone's incompetence
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support with evidence or authority or make more certain or confirm
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play a subordinate role to (another performer)
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a musical part (vocal or instrumental) that supports or provides background for other musical parts
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synonyms:
accompaniment, backup, musical accompaniment
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adopt as a belief
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put up with something or somebody unpleasant
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suffer
experience (emotional) pain
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types:
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accept, live with, swallow
tolerate or accommodate oneself to
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hold still for, stand for
tolerate or bear
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bear up
endure cheerfully
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take lying down
suffer without protest; suffer or endure passively
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take a joke
listen to a joke at one's own expense
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sit out
endure to the end
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pay
bear (a cost or penalty), in recompense for some action
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get one's lumps, take one's lumps
suffer the results or consequences of one's behavior or actions
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type of:
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allow, countenance, let, permit
consent to, give permission
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suffer
Pronunciation
US
/səˈpɔrt/
UK
/səˈpɔt/
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