Support vs. Help: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 26, 2023
Support is providing assistance, encouragement, or sustenance, while help is offering aid or service, often to solve a problem or fulfill a need.
Key Differences
Support often implies a more sustained or long-term assistance, encompassing emotional, financial, or physical backing. In contrast, help typically refers to immediate or short-term assistance, focusing on a specific task or problem.
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Dec 26, 2023
In a professional context, support might mean providing resources or infrastructure to facilitate someone's work or goals, while help could involve direct intervention to complete a task or solve an issue. Support is enabling, whereas help is more hands-on.
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Dec 26, 2023
In personal relationships, support often takes the form of emotional or moral backing, like supporting a friend through a difficult time. Help, on the other hand, might involve concrete actions like helping a friend move to a new house.
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Dec 26, 2023
Support can also mean endorsing or advocating for a cause, idea, or individual. For example, supporting a political candidate. Conversely, help in this context is more about providing direct assistance to achieve a specific objective, like helping in a campaign.
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Dec 26, 2023
Technologically, support often refers to ongoing maintenance and troubleshooting services, such as tech support. Help, in this realm, usually refers to immediate assistance, like a help desk providing solutions to specific problems.
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Dec 26, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Usage in Context
"She received emotional support from her family."
"He asked for help with his homework."
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Dec 26, 2023
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Colloquial Usage
"Support system" (network of assistance)
"Can you give me a hand?" (request for help)
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Dec 26, 2023
Support and Help Definitions
Support
To bear the weight of, especially from below; keep from falling, sinking, or slipping
Pillars support the roof.
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Oct 19, 2023
Help
The act of assisting or the assistance given.
She offered her help to the neighbors.
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Dec 26, 2023
Support
To bear or hold up (an amount of weight)
The bridge supports 10 tons.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Help
To give assistance to (someone); make it easier for (someone) to do something; aid
She helped me with my project. I helped her find her book.
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Oct 19, 2023
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Support
To keep from weakening or failing; give confidence or comfort to
The letter supported him in his grief.
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Oct 19, 2023
Support
To keep from falling in value, as by government purchases
A program to support the price of wheat.
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Oct 19, 2023
Help
To wait on, as in a store or restaurant
Please help the customer in aisle 20.
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Oct 19, 2023
Support
To provide for or maintain by supplying with money or necessities
The homeless shelter is supported solely by donations.
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Oct 19, 2023
Help
To contribute to the effectiveness or improvement of (something); improve or advance
Tax breaks to help create jobs.
New ways to help the environment.
A remark that didn't help the situation.
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Oct 19, 2023
Support
To furnish corroborating evidence for
New facts supported her story.
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Oct 19, 2023
Help
To ease the pain or discomfort of; relieve
Medication to help your cold.
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Oct 19, 2023
Support
To aid the cause, policy, or interests of
Supported her in her election campaign.
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Oct 19, 2023
Help
To refrain from; avoid or resist. Used with can or cannot
Couldn't help laughing.
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Oct 19, 2023
Help
To be of use or provide relief
He has a bad back, and physical therapy hasn't helped.
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Oct 19, 2023
Support
To endure; tolerate
"At supper there was such a conflux of company that I could scarcely support the tumult" (Samuel Johnson).
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Oct 19, 2023
Support
To act in a secondary or subordinate role to (a leading performer).
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Oct 19, 2023
Help
One that helps
You've been a great help. A food processor is a help to the serious cook.
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Oct 19, 2023
Help
(Archaic) A person employed to help, especially a farm worker or domestic servant.
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Oct 19, 2023
Support
(Computers) To be compatible with (a program)
That operating system does not support most new applications.
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Oct 19, 2023
Help
(uncountable) Action given to provide assistance; aid.
I need some help with my homework.
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Oct 19, 2023
Support
The state of being supported
The candidate's support has been overwhelming.
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Oct 19, 2023
Help
Something or someone which provides assistance with a task.
He was a great help to me when I was moving house.
I've printed out a list of math helps.
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Oct 19, 2023
Help
Documentation provided with computer software, etc. and accessed using the computer.
I can't find anything in the help about rotating an image.
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Oct 19, 2023
Help
One or more people employed to help in the maintenance of a house or the operation of a farm or enterprise.
The help is coming round this morning to clean.
Most of the hired help is seasonal, for the harvest.
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Oct 19, 2023
Support
Help or advice offered to those encountering difficulties with a product or service.
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Oct 19, 2023
Help
(uncountable) Correction of deficits, as by psychological counseling or medication or social support or remedial training.
His suicide attempts were a cry for help.
He really needs help in handling customer complaints.
“He’s a real road-rager.” / “Yup, he really needs help, maybe anger management.”
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Oct 19, 2023
Support
(transitive) To keep from falling.
Don’t move that beam! It supports the whole platform.
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Oct 19, 2023
Help
(transitive) To provide assistance to (someone or something).
He helped his grandfather cook breakfast.
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Oct 19, 2023
Support
(transitive) To answer questions and resolve problems regarding something sold.
Sure they sell the product, but do they support it?
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Oct 19, 2023
Help
(transitive) To assist (a person) in getting something, especially food or drink at table; used with to.
It is polite to help your guests to food before serving yourself.
Help yourself to whatever's in the fridge.
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Oct 19, 2023
Support
(transitive) To back a cause, party, etc., mentally or with concrete aid.
I support France in the World Cup.
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Oct 19, 2023
Help
(transitive) To contribute in some way to.
The white paint on the walls helps make the room look brighter.
If you want to get a job, it helps to have some prior experience.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Support
(transitive) To help, particularly financially.
The government supports the arts in several ways.
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Oct 19, 2023
Help
(intransitive) To provide assistance.
She was struggling with the groceries, so I offered to help.
Please, help!
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Oct 19, 2023
Support
To verify; to make good; to substantiate; to establish; to sustain.
The testimony is not sufficient to support the charges.
The evidence will not support the statements or allegations.
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Oct 19, 2023
Help
(transitive) To avoid; to prevent; to refrain from; to restrain (oneself). Usually used in nonassertive contexts with can.
We couldn’t help noticing that you were late.
We couldn’t help but notice that you were late.
She’s trying not to smile, but she can’t help herself.
Can I help it if I'm so beautiful?
Can I help it that I fell in love with you?
Are they going to beat us?
Not if I can help it!
She never does more than she can help.
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Oct 19, 2023
Support
(transitive) To serve, as in a customer-oriented mindset; to give support to.
The IT Department supports the research organization, but not the sales force.
I don't make decisions, but I support those who do.
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Oct 19, 2023
Support
(transitive) To be designed (said of machinery, electronics, or computers, or their parts, accessories, peripherals, or programming) to function compatibly with or provide the capacity for.
Early personal computers did not support voice-recognition hardware or software.
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Oct 19, 2023
Help
To furnish with strength or means for the successful performance of any action or the attainment of any object; to aid; to assist; as, to help a man in his work; to help one to remember; - the following infinitive is commonly used without to; as, "Help me scale yon balcony."
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Oct 19, 2023
Support
(transitive) To be accountable for, or involved with, but not responsible for.
I support the administrative activities of the executive branch of the organization.
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Oct 19, 2023
Help
To furnish with the means of deliverance from trouble; as, to help one in distress; to help one out of prison.
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Oct 19, 2023
Support
(archaic) To endure without being overcome; bear; undergo; to tolerate.
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Oct 19, 2023
Help
To furnish with relief, as in pain or disease; to be of avail against; - sometimes with of before a word designating the pain or disease, and sometimes having such a word for the direct object.
The true calamus helps coughs.
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Oct 19, 2023
Support
To assume and carry successfully, as the part of an actor; to represent or act; to sustain.
To support the character of King Lear
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Oct 19, 2023
Help
To change for the better; to remedy.
Cease to lament for what thou canst not help.
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Oct 19, 2023
Support
Something which supports.
Don't move that beam! It's a support for the whole platform.
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Oct 19, 2023
Support
Financial or other help.
The government provides support to the arts in several ways.
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Oct 19, 2023
Help
To forbear; to avoid.
I can not help remarking the resemblance betwixt him and our author.
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Oct 19, 2023
Support
Answers to questions and resolution of problems regarding something sold.
Sure they sell the product, but do they provide support?
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Oct 19, 2023
Help
To wait upon, as the guests at table, by carving and passing food.
The god of learning and of lightWould want a god himself to help him out.
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Oct 19, 2023
Support
(mathematics) in relation to a function, the set of points where the function is not zero, or the closure of that set.
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Oct 19, 2023
Help
To lend aid or assistance; to contribute strength or means; to avail or be of use; to assist.
A generous present helps to persuade, as well as an agreeable person.
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Oct 19, 2023
Support
(fuzzy set theory) A set whose elements are at least partially included in a given fuzzy set (i.e., whose grade of membership in that fuzzy set is strictly greater than zero).
If the membership function of a fuzzy set is continuous, then that fuzzy set's support is an open set.
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Oct 19, 2023
Help
Strength or means furnished toward promoting an object, or deliverance from difficulty or distress; aid; ^; also, the person or thing furnishing the aid; as, he gave me a help of fifty dollars.
Give us help from trouble, for vain is the help of man.
God is . . . a very present help in trouble.
Virtue is a friend and a help to nature.
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Oct 19, 2023
Support
(computing) Compatibility and functionality for a given product or feature.
This game has no mouse support.
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Oct 19, 2023
Help
A helper; one hired to help another; also, thew hole force of hired helpers in any business.
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Oct 19, 2023
Help
The activity of contributing to the fulfillment of a need or furtherance of an effort or purpose;
He gave me an assist with the housework
Could not walk without assistance
Rescue party went to their aid
Offered his help in unloading
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Oct 19, 2023
Help
A resource;
Visual aids in teaching
Economic assistance to depressed areas
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Oct 19, 2023
Support
(structural analysis) Horizontal, vertical or rotational support of structures: movable, hinged, fixed. en
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Oct 19, 2023
Support
To bear by being under; to keep from falling; to uphold; to sustain, in a literal or physical sense; to prop up; to bear the weight of; as, a pillar supports a structure; an abutment supports an arch; the trunk of a tree supports the branches.
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Oct 19, 2023
Help
A person who contributes to the fulfillment of a need or furtherance of an effort or purpose;
My invaluable assistant
They hired additional help to finish the work
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Oct 19, 2023
Support
To endure without being overcome, exhausted, or changed in character; to sustain; as, to support pain, distress, or misfortunes.
This fierce demeanor and his insolenceThe patience of a god could not support.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Help
Give help or assistance; be of service;
Everyone helped out during the earthquake
Can you help me carry this table?
She never helps around the house
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Support
To keep from failing or sinking; to solace under affictive circumstances; to assist; to encourage; to defend; as, to support the courage or spirits.
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Oct 19, 2023
Support
To assume and carry successfully, as the part of an actor; to represent or act; to sustain; as, to support the character of King Lear.
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Oct 19, 2023
Support
To furnish with the means of sustenance or livelihood; to maintain; to provide for; as, to support a family; to support the ministers of the gospel.
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Oct 19, 2023
Help
Abstain from doing; always used with a negative;
I can't help myself--I have to smoke
She could not help watching the sad spectacle
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Oct 19, 2023
Support
To carry on; to enable to continue; to maintain; as, to support a war or a contest; to support an argument or a debate.
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Oct 19, 2023
Help
Contribute to the furtherance of;
This money will help the development of literacy in developing countries
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Oct 19, 2023
Support
To verify; to make good; to substantiate; to establish; to sustain; as, the testimony is not sufficient to support the charges; the evidence will not support the statements or allegations.
To urge such arguments, as though they were sufficient to support and demonstrate a whole scheme of moral philosophy.
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Oct 19, 2023
Help
Improve; change for the better;
New slipcovers will help the old living room furniture
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Support
To vindicate; to maintain; to defend successfully; as, to be able to support one's own cause.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Help
Help to some food; help with food or drink;
I served him three times, and after that he helped himself
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Support
To uphold by aid or countenance; to aid; to help; to back up; as, to support a friend or a party; to support the present administration.
Wherefore, bold pleasant,Darest thou support a published traitor?
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Support
A attend as an honorary assistant; as, a chairman supported by a vice chairman; O'Connell left the prison, supported by his two sons.
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Oct 19, 2023
Help
To provide assistance or aid to someone.
He helped her with her studies.
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Dec 26, 2023
Support
The act, state, or operation of supporting, upholding, or sustaining.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Help
To contribute to the ease or improvement of a situation.
Your feedback will help improve the project.
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Dec 26, 2023
Support
That which upholds, sustains, or keeps from falling, as a prop, a pillar, or a foundation of any kind.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Help
A means of resolving a problem or dealing with a situation.
This tool is a great help in the kitchen.
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Dec 26, 2023
Support
That which maintains or preserves from being overcome, falling, yielding, sinking, giving way, or the like; subsistence; maintenance; assistance; reënforcement; as, he gave his family a good support, the support of national credit; the assaulting column had the support of a battery.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Support
The activity of providing for or maintaining by supplying with money or necessities;
His support kept the family together
They gave him emotional support during difficult times
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Oct 19, 2023
Support
Aiding the cause or policy or interests of;
The president no longer had the support of his own party
They developed a scheme of mutual support
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Oct 19, 2023
Support
Something providing immaterial support or assistance to a person or cause or interest;
The policy found little public support
His faith was all the support he needed
The team enjoyed the support of their fans
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Oct 19, 2023
Support
A military operation (often involving new supplies of men and materiel) to strengthen a military force or aid in the performance of its mission;
They called for artillery support
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Oct 19, 2023
Support
Documentary validation;
His documentation of the results was excellent
The strongest support for this this view is the work of Jones
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Oct 19, 2023
Support
The financial means whereby one lives;
Each child was expected to pay for their keep
He applied to the state for support
He could no longer earn his own livelihood
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Oct 19, 2023
Support
Supporting structure that holds up or provides a foundation;
The statue stood on a marble support
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Oct 19, 2023
Support
The act of bearing the weight of or strengthening;
He leaned against the wall for support
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Oct 19, 2023
Support
A subordinate musical part; provides background for more important parts
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Oct 19, 2023
Support
Any device that bears the weight of another thing;
There was no place to attach supports for a shelf
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Oct 19, 2023
Support
Financial resources provided to make some project possible;
The foundation provided support for the experiment
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Oct 19, 2023
Support
Give moral or psychological support, aid, or courage to;
She supported him during the illness
Her children always backed her up
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Oct 19, 2023
Support
Support materially or financially;
He does not support his natural children
The scholarship supported me when I was in college
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Oct 19, 2023
Support
Be behind; approve of;
He plumped for the Labor Party
I backed Kennedy in 1960
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Oct 19, 2023
Support
Be the physical support of; carry the weight of;
The beam holds up the roof
He supported me with one hand while I balanced on the beam
What's holding that mirror?
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Oct 19, 2023
Support
Establish or strengthen as with new evidence or facts;
His story confirmed my doubts
The evidence supports the defendant
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Oct 19, 2023
Support
Support with evidence or authority or make more certain or confirm;
The stories and claims were born out by the evidence
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Oct 19, 2023
Support
Play a subordinate role to (another performer);
Olivier supported Gielgud beautifully in the second act
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Oct 19, 2023
Support
Be a regular customer or client of;
We patronize this store
Our sponsor kept our art studio going for as long as he could
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Oct 19, 2023
Support
Put up with something or somebody unpleasant;
I cannot bear his constant criticism
The new secretary had to endure a lot of unprofessional remarks
He learned to tolerate the heat
She stuck out two years in a miserable marriage
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Oct 19, 2023
Support
To hold up or bear the weight of something.
The pillars support the weight of the building.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 26, 2023
Support
To give assistance or backing to someone or something.
She supports local businesses.
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Dec 26, 2023
Support
The act of providing encouragement or emotional help.
His friends provided support during tough times.
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Dec 26, 2023
Support
To maintain or contribute to the functioning of something.
They support the software through regular updates.
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Dec 26, 2023
Support
A thing that bears the weight of something or keeps it steady.
The bridge’s supports were reinforced.
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Dec 26, 2023
Repeatedly Asked Queries
What does "support" mean in architecture?
Structural elements that hold up or stabilize buildings.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 26, 2023
How is "support" used in technology?
As in technical support, aiding users with technological issues.
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Dec 26, 2023
What does "support" mean in a social context?
Providing emotional or moral backing to someone.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 26, 2023
Can "help" be used in emergencies?
Yes, as in providing immediate assistance.
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Dec 26, 2023
How is "help" used in a community context?
As in volunteering or aiding community projects.
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Dec 26, 2023
Does "support" imply endorsement?
Yes, especially in terms of ideas or causes.
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Dec 26, 2023
Is "support" always long-term?
Often, but it can also be short-term in certain contexts.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 26, 2023
What does "help" mean in a general sense?
Offering assistance or aid to someone.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 26, 2023
Can "support" be emotional?
Absolutely, as in providing comfort or understanding.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 26, 2023
What does "help" imply in customer service?
Providing solutions or answers to customer queries.
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Dec 26, 2023
Do "support" and "help" have the same meaning?
They are similar but have distinct nuances in usage.
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Dec 26, 2023
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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