supporting 1 of 2

as in supportive
serving to give support to the truth or factualness of something scientists looking for direct supporting evidence of microscopic black holes, the existence of which is theoretical

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

supporting

2 of 2

verb

present participle of support
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2
as in keeping
to pay the living expenses of a young widow supporting a sick mother as well as two small children on a teacher's salary

Synonyms & Similar Words

3
4
as in reinforcing
to provide evidence or information for (as a claim or idea) studies that support the claim that red wine drinkers have a reduced risk of coronary disease and cancer

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of supporting
Adjective
The incredible supporting cast is made up entirely of old-hand character actors, promising but underknown newcomers, and comedy- or comedy-adjacent figures with passionate niche followings and Gumby-esque limbs. — Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 17 June 2026 Some went after Cashman, some after Boone, some after Steinbrenner’s son Hal, and some after Aaron Judge’s non-supporting cast. — Ian O'Connor, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025 Sure, that was exacerbated, and to some degree directly caused, by the ample non-supporting cast around him, especially on the offensive line. — Vahe Gregorian, Kansas City Star, 11 Sep. 2025
Verb
With roaring support from a packed crowd, Macklemore launched his Free Palestine Tour in Ireland’s capital Monday, just over a month after he was controversially dropped as Ed Sheeran’s supporting act. — Chantal Da Silva, NBC news, 27 Oct. 2026 Attorneys general from 39 states and the District of Columbia have filed an amicus brief supporting New Jersey’s case against Kalshi. — Josh Appel, Washington Post, 26 Oct. 2026 Investors recently started asking some serious questions about the AI part of this three-legged stool that had been supporting bond yields. — David Goldman, CNN Money, 26 Oct. 2026 Content creation from leading voices within the fashion and snow sports space is supporting the drop, to connect the history of the clothing with today’s generation styling archival pieces in new ways. — Kanika Talwar, Footwear News, 26 Oct. 2026 Instead of supporting Ukraine, the victim of a foreign military invasion, he’s been pressing the Zelensky to accept Putin’s demands for territory. — Doyle McManus, Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2026 Ongg won best actress at the seventh Taiwan Film Critics Society Awards, was nominated for best supporting actress at the 28th Taipei Film Awards and is nominated in the same category at the upcoming 63rd Golden Horse Awards. — Lin Ying-Hsuan, Variety, 26 Oct. 2026 For those with diabetes or prediabetes, supporting a steadier blood sugar response may matter even more. — Lauren Manaker Ms, HEALTH, 26 Oct. 2026 Even when a tip appears credible, detectives must assess the information and look for supporting evidence. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 19 Oct. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for supporting
Adjective
  • The Snow’s pressure-relieving foam combined with supportive springs results in a bed that’s comfortable, but not plush to a fault.
    — Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 21 Oct. 2026
  • The nuns modeled how to create a sustaining, supportive community.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Passengers United, a nonprofit organization advocating for transit riders, has been pushing for reforms to fare enforcement.
    — Hannah Kliger, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026
  • On Jathar’s first visit, those organizational talking points included advocating for funding smart grids, authorizing Department of Energy research, and investing in STEM education.
    — Lucas Laursen, IEEE Spectrum, 22 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Safe-haven demand has continued to support Treasuries, keeping 10-year yields near the lower end of their October range, the bank said.
    — Jenny Lee, CNBC, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Broad windows, strategic skylights, and deep overhangs optimize vistas and weather exposure, keeping interiors light and warm.
    — Elizabeth Fazzare, Architectural Digest, 22 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Dieffenbach made the big play after sustaining an apparent leg injury on a hard hit late in the first half.
    — Connor Dullinger, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Rutgers starting quarterback Dylan Lonergan left after sustaining a blow to the head 6 minutes, 25 seconds into the first quarter and didn’t return.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • The event highlights Greece’s efforts to enhance its maritime strike capabilities while reinforcing its strategic partnership with Israel amid an increasingly complex security environment in the Eastern Mediterranean.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 25 Oct. 2026
  • The proposal came days after Kim Jong Un's powerful sister visited front-line areas where North Korean troops are reinforcing the border.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 24 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • The Knicks enter the 2026 season this week as defending NBA champions, as any New Yorker in your life would be happy to remind you.
    — Noah Shachtman, Vanity Fair, 20 Oct. 2026
  • The Administration has invoked national security in defending other projects.
    — Rebecca Schneid, Time, 20 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Vincent Ochieng, a disaster officer with the Kenya Red Cross, said the organization had recorded 31 missing persons but was still verifying the reports.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Onboarding a brilliant new hire involves verifying their identity, issuing a badge and handing over a master key and a to-do list.
    — Julian Durand, Forbes.com, 20 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Gritsyuk and Hischier each scored their fifth goal of the season, with Jesper Bratt assisting on both scores.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
  • The National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control section, which prosecutes spies, is assisting the DOJ in the case.
    — Benjamin Guggenheim, Washington Post, 23 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Supporting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/supporting. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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