I. verb
1.
Synonyms: bear 10, abide, brook, endure, go, stand, ||stick, stomach, swallow, take
2.
to favor actively in the face of opposition
support an unpopular economic policy
Synonyms: advocate, back, backstop, champion, side (with), uphold
Related Word: applaud, approve, endorse, favor, plunk (for), pull (for), root; adopt, embrace, espouse; defend, maintain, sustain
Idioms: align oneself with, be on (someone's) side, take (someone's) side
Contrasted words: battle, combat, counter, fight, oppose; withstand
Antonyms: buck
3.
to supply what is needed for sustenance
support his family
Synonyms: maintain, provide (for)
Idioms: boil the pot, bring home the bacon, make a living for, take care of
4.
to hold up in position by serving as a foundation or base for
pillars supporting an arch
Synonyms: bear up, bolster, brace, buttress, carry, prop, shore (up), sustain, upbear, uphold
Related Word: stand
5.
to keep from yielding, sinking, or losing courage or stability
her friends supported her during the crisis
Synonyms: bolster, buoy (up), prop, sustain, underprop, uphold; compare encourage 1
Related Word: encourage; fortify, stiffen, strengthen
II. noun
1.
Synonyms: help 1, aid, assist, assistance, comfort, hand, lift, relief, secours, succor
2.
Synonyms: help 2, aid
3.
a supporting means, agency, medium, or device
girders as structural supports
strong economic support for the government
Synonyms: brace, buttress, column, prop, shore, stay, underpinner, underpinning, underpropping
Related Word: base, foundation; sustentation
4.
Synonyms: living , alimentation, alimony, bread, keep, livelihood, maintenance, salt, subsistence, sustenance