You are now old enough to support yourself.
Source: tatoeba (16415)
Support
/səˈpɔːt/
Synonyms for "support" (1210 found)
Ranked by relevance and common usage.
Closest matches (10)
Strong matches (15)
Noun(4 words)
Verb(3 words)
Related words (25)
Choosing the right synonym
- Closest matches in this entry: backing, basis, brace, reinforcement, a-frame.
- advocate: 'Advocate' means actively arguing in favor of something, it's support with a voice, not just a presence.
- Sentence evidence is available for support, so synonym choice can be checked against real usage rather than a flat word list.
- Ranking signals come from wiktionary, wordnet, opengloss, moby, and related lexical sources.
Synonym selection checklist
- Match the part of speech before comparing meanings.
- Check whether the synonym changes intensity, formality, or emotional tone.
- Read the replacement inside the full sentence, not just beside "support".
- Prefer the clearest word over the most unusual word when writing for speed or comprehension.
When not to replace "support"
Keep "support" when the sentence already sounds natural, when a synonym would add unintended emphasis, or when readers need the most familiar wording. A synonym should clarify or sharpen the message, not simply make the sentence look more varied.
If two options seem close, choose the one that best matches the audience and purpose of the sentence.
Replacement workflow
1. Preserve meaning
Choose a synonym only if it keeps the core idea of "support" intact in the sentence you are editing.
2. Tune tone
Check whether the replacement sounds more formal, casual, emotional, technical, or forceful than the original word.
3. Re-read context
Read the full sentence after the swap. Keep the synonym only when the sentence becomes clearer or more precise.
Review note: Synonym lists are ranked with lexical data and reviewed for practical writing value. Use the comparison notes, sentence evidence, and source labels together; a high-ranking synonym can still be wrong when the audience, register, or grammar changes.
Final fit check
After choosing a replacement for "support", read the sentence once for meaning and once for rhythm. The best synonym should feel natural in the full sentence, not only accurate in a word list.
If the synonym makes the sentence slower, vaguer, or more dramatic than intended, keep "support" or choose a simpler alternative from the closest-match group.
How these synonyms differ
- advocate - 'Advocate' means actively arguing in favor of something, it's support with a voice, not just a presence.
- bolster - 'Bolster' means propping up something that's weakening, it implies reinforcement at a vulnerable point.
- endorse - 'Endorse' is public, you endorse a candidate or a product. It carries your reputation with it.
- sustain - 'Sustain' means keeping something going over time, it's about maintenance and endurance, not a one-time boost.
Related word relations
OpenGloss and ConceptNet supply richer edges like generalizations, collocations, and derivations.
More general
51 entriesO.K.actactivityagreeaidallowapproveargueassistassistancecheckconcordconcurcorrespondcountenancedescriptive adjective
Showing 16 of 51 words.
More specific
20 entriesShowing 16 of 20 words.
Collocations
12 entriesacademic supportemotional supportfinancial supportmoral supportpeer supportsupport networksupport systemsupportive classroomsupportive environmentsupportive evidencesupportive parentstangible support
Inflections
5 entriesDerivations
7 entriessimilar
9 entriesTranslations
15 translations across 11 languages.
Afrikaans
1 entries- ondersteun verb (to provide help regarding something sold)
Albanian
1 entries- përkrah verb (to provide help regarding something sold)
Bulgarian
1 entries- поддържам verb (to provide help regarding something sold)
Czech
1 entries- podporovat verb (to provide help regarding something sold)
Finnish
2 entries- olla asiakastuki verb (to provide help regarding something sold)
- tukea verb (to provide help regarding something sold)
German
3 entries- Support bieten verb (to provide help regarding something sold)
- betreuen verb (to provide help regarding something sold)
- unterstützen verb (to provide help regarding something sold)
Japanese
1 entries- 対応する verb (to provide help regarding something sold)
Latin
1 entries- supersum verb (to provide help regarding something sold)
Portuguese
1 entries- dar suporte verb (to provide help regarding something sold)
Russian
2 entries- подде́рживать verb (to provide help regarding something sold)
- поддержа́ть verb (to provide help regarding something sold)
Spanish
1 entries- dar soporte verb (to provide help regarding something sold)
Sample sentences
41 total sentences available.
At your age you ought to support yourself.
Source: tatoeba (16936)
With reference to your request, I will support.
Source: tatoeba (17035)
I cannot support your conduct.
Source: tatoeba (17165)
Showing 4 of 41 available sentences.
Common questions
What are the closest synonyms for "support"?
Closest matches include backing, basis, brace, reinforcement, a-frame.
How is "advocate" different from "support"?
'Advocate' means actively arguing in favor of something, it's support with a voice, not just a presence.
How should I check whether a synonym fits "support"?
Compare the replacement against real sentence context. This entry includes sample sentences so you can check tone, grammar, and meaning before swapping words.
More for "support"
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