supported

1. 1
   verb

   Simple past and past participle of support.

   The committee supported the proposal after a long debate.

   Steel cables supported the bridge across the wide river.

   Note

   Support is a regular verb, so the same spelling serves as the simple past (they supported the plan) and the past participle. The participle forms perfects with have (has supported) and passives with be (was supported). The adjectives grow out of that passive. A beam that is supported by columns gives the "held up" adjective, and a claim that is supported by data gives the "backed by evidence" one.

2. 2
   adjective

   Given help or assistance by someone or something.

   Employees who feel supported tend to stay with the company longer.

   The supported families received both food and counseling after the flood.

   Oppositeunsupported, neglected

3. 3
   adjective

   Held in place by something that bears its weight, typically from underneath.

   A properly supported beam can carry far more weight than an unbraced one.

   The walkway remained supported on a row of steel columns.

   Similarbraced

   Oppositeunsupported, unbraced

4. 4
   adjective

   Provided with evidence that confirms it.

   Her argument was supported by data from three independent studies.

   The supported finding survived a rigorous round of peer review.

   Similarcorroborated, confirmed, backed

   Oppositeunsupported, unsubstantiated, unfounded

   Note

   Here the support is logical rather than physical: a claim stands because evidence holds it up. The sense pairs naturally with degree adverbs, especially well and so well. Mary Shelley's The Last Man (1826) shows the pattern, where a son's arguments are "so well supported" that his doubting mother begins to fear him. Because it is gradable, the adjective also takes more and most: a more supported conclusion.

5. 5
   adjective

   Having backers or supporters.

   The supported candidate entered the race with real confidence.

   Her proposal was supported by residents throughout the district.

   Similarbacked, endorsed, favored

   Oppositeopposed

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