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to support

to support

73 1.0
Hold up something so it does not fall
  • verb
  • /səˈpɔrt/
: sostener
  • I used strips cut to the same length to support the piece while securing.
  • support the weight
  • designed to support
  • support devices

So it kind of supports the piece of pizza.

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Examples

  • So we're quite happy that the suit can actually support quite a lot more load.

  • A wall can support a toddler or a boy.

  • When integrated into the curriculum, these devices can support greater independence for students with disabilities.

    Academic text (2015)
  • Cables 3,577 feet long were laid wire by wire to support the Brooklyn Bridge.

    Academic text (2012)
  • You're seeing that all around the world, the consequence of that is not only destruction to the ecosystems, but actually, uh, the entire Amazon basin is having increasing difficulty supporting agriculture.

  • The scaffolding was built to support the heavy load of materials during construction.

  • He used a sturdy table to support the large television set in the living room.

  • The pillars were designed to support the roof and prevent it from collapsing.

Synonyms

to hold
vsto support
∞ 1.0

To carry or support something with your hands

refers more widely to bearing weight, not only holding by hand
to balance
vsto support
286 2.0

To keep something steady so it does not fall

is mainly about carrying weight rather than keeping equilibrium
to hold up
vsto support
188 3.4

To support the weight of something so it does not fall

is the general action of bearing weight to keep something upright
to brace
vsto support
141 4.4

To make something stronger or prepare yourself for something difficult

is focused specifically on bearing weight rather than general strengthening
to prop
vsto support
115 4.1

To hold something up by putting an object under or against it

is broader, applying to all ways of bearing weight
to rest on
vsto support
102 1.0

To put part of your body or an object on something for support

covers bearing weight in general, not only by resting on surfaces
to prop up
vsto support
65 3.6

Support something so it does not fall or fail

is the general idea of bearing weight regardless of method used
to hold steady
vsto support
54 2.9

Keep something or someone in place and still

focuses on bearing weight to stop falling rather than only preventing movement
to sustain
vsto support
7 4.1

To hold up something heavy so it does not fall

is the broad term for bearing weight to stop something falling
to seat
vsto support
  • Specialized
3 4.3

To fit something firmly into a base so it stays in place

is less specific about attachment or a fixed base
to bolster
vsto support
2 4.8

To add padding to something to make it more comfortable

focuses specifically on bearing weight and preventing falling rather than padding
to buttress
vsto support
  • Specialized
2 7.3

To add a strong support against a wall to keep it standing

is the general action of bearing weight, not only architectural reinforcement
to brace up
vsto support
1 5.5

To make something strong and supported from below with extra beams

is not limited to adding built supports under an item
to truss
vsto support
  • Specialized
1 7.7

To strengthen a roof or bridge with a frame of beams

applies more generally to bearing weight beyond framed structures

Antonyms

∞ 1.0

To let something fall suddenly or by accident

645 3.9

To fall down suddenly, for example when a person faints or a building breaks

Idioms

Kept alive by machines after a serious illness or kept working only with little help

Phrasal Verbs

To give help to someone during a difficult time

To help and encourage each other during difficult times

To stop giving help and approval to a person or group

To ask people or groups for help when you need it

To make people excited and ready to help a cause

To come together to help someone or a cause

Help someone reach their goals in life

Compounds

93 2.7

Money a parent must pay to the parent who cares for their children after separation to help with living costs

81 2.8

A group of people who meet regularly to give each other help and advice about a shared problem

65 3.2

Equipment that supplies air, water, and other needs in dangerous places

life support
  • Specialized
48 3.4

Medical machines that keep a person alive by helping them breathe or keeping the heart working

A group of people who help and encourage you in hard times

36 4.1

Aircraft that help soldiers on the ground during fighting

Money given to help pay for a project, charity, or person

life-support
  • Specialized
20 3.8

Used for machines or methods that keep a very sick person alive

life-support system
  • Specialized
18 4.0

Equipment that keeps a person alive by doing the body's most important jobs

Not enough help from people or groups

10 3.5

A regular payment one person gives to help pay for a child or former partner

A team at a company that helps people with problems and questions about products or services

close support
  • Specialized
6 7.3

Help for soldiers from nearby troops that attack the enemy

5 3.5

Help that keeps someone going in hard times, like care from family

price support
  • Specialized
5 4.3

Government payments that keep the price people pay for a product like milk or wheat at a set minimum

2 3.1

A part of a shoe that holds up the curved middle of the foot

Help given by a company or maker straight to a customer

2 4.4

Stockings that help blood move in the legs and reduce pressure on veins

logistic support
  • Specialized
1 3.5

Help that gives supplies, vehicles, and services for military or disaster missions

1 7.4

Help from one military unit to another that answers the other unit's requests for help

support column
  • Specialized
1 3.9

A vertical post that holds heavy weight in a building or bridge

support level
  • Specialized
1 5.8

A price where a falling stock often stops because people start to buy it

Full loyal help and agreement without any doubt

support system
  • Specialized
1 3.4

A set of tools and software that help customers with problems

1 6.4

Help from one government department to another with things like transport or paperwork

1 8.4

A computer program that learns from examples to put data into groups or predict values

support stocking
  • Specialized
1 4.0

A tight stretchy piece of clothing for the leg that lowers pressure in veins and reduces swelling

Help between departments with tasks like moving things and office work

A phone line customers call for help with products or services

Actions that use electronic signals to find enemy radar or radio and help commanders spot immediate threats

6.6

A system that organizes and shares supplies and support among groups for a joint operation

Agreements between countries to move and share supplies and equipment during military or disaster relief missions

inter-service support
  • Specialized
4.5

Help that one branch of the military gives another with supplies and paperwork

A part of the U.S. Treasury that shares intelligence with officials who work on other countries' money and trade

Information and help to prevent people from killing themselves and support those affected

8.1

A computer method that finds a clear boundary to separate different groups of data

How Strong

to sustain
7 4.1
to support
73 1.0
to brace
141 4.4
to prop
115 4.1
to rest on
102 1.0

Surface Forms

support infinitive
supported past
supported past participle
supporting present participle
supports third person singular

Etymology

The word support comes from the Latin parts sub- 'under' and portare 'to carry'. In a physical sense, to support something is to hold or 'carry' its weight so it does not fall.