support
support (sə-pôrtʹ, -pōrtʹ) verb, transitive
supported, supporting, supports
1. To bear the weight of, especially from below.
2. To hold in position so as to keep from falling, sinking, or slipping.
3. To be capable of bearing; withstand.
4. To keep from weakening or failing; strengthen.
5. To provide for or maintain, by supplying with money or necessities.
6. To furnish corroborating evidence for.
7. To aid the cause, policy, or interests of.
8. To endure; tolerate.
9. a. To act (a part or role). b. To act in a secondary or subordinate role to (a leading performer).
noun
1. a. The act of supporting. b. The state of being supported.
2. One that supports.
3. Maintenance, as of a family, with the necessities of life.
[Middle English supporten, from Old French supporter, from Latin supportāre, to carry : sub-, from below. See sub- + portāre, to carry.]
Synonyms: support, uphold, back, advocate, champion. These verbs are compared as they mean to give aid or encouragement to a person or cause. Support is the most general: is being supported by friends in her effort to surmount the tragedy; "the policy of Cromwell, who supported the growing power of France against the declining power of Spain" (William E.H. Lecky). To uphold is to maintain or affirm in the face of a challenge or strong opposition: "The Declaration of Right upheld the principle of hereditary monarchy" (Edmund Burke). Back suggests material or moral support intended to contribute to or assure success: "There is only one proved method of assisting the advancement of pure sciencethat of picking men of genius, backing them heavily, and leaving them to direct themselves" (James B. Conant). Advocate implies verbal support, often in the form of pleading or arguing: Scientists advocate a reduction in saturated fats in the human diet. To champion is to fight for one that is under attack or lacks the strength or ability to act in its own behalf: "championed the government and defended the system of taxation" (Samuel Chew). See also synonyms at livelihood.