Supportive: meaning, definitions and examples

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supportive

 

[ səˈpɔːrtɪv ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

relationships

Providing encouragement, help, or comfort to someone in a difficult situation.

Synonyms

comforting, encouraging, helpful.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
supportive

Use this word to describe someone who is providing emotional help and backing in various situations, such as during stressful times or hardships. It implies a constant presence and readiness to help.

  • She was very supportive when I lost my job.
  • His family is always supportive of his decisions.
encouraging

This word fits situations where someone is providing motivation or instilling confidence to help someone continue or improve. It emphasizes positive reinforcement and motivation.

  • His teacher was very encouraging about his progress.
  • The crowd's cheering was incredibly encouraging to the runners.
helpful

Use this word to describe actions or people that are providing practical help or assistance in achieving a specific task or goal. It's often about solving problems or making tasks easier.

  • Thank you for being so helpful with the project.
  • The instructions were very helpful.
comforting

This word is best used when someone is providing solace or alleviating distress, particularly in moments of sadness, grief, or anxiety. It usually refers to actions or words that soothe someone.

  • Her words were comforting during the difficult time.
  • A warm blanket can be very comforting on a cold night.

Examples of usage

  • He was very supportive when I was going through a tough time.
  • She is always there for me, offering supportive words and advice.
  • The supportive environment at work really helped me to overcome my challenges.
Context #2 | Adjective

behavior

Showing approval, agreement, or loyalty towards someone or something.

Synonyms

agreeable, approving, loyal.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
supportive

Used to describe someone who provides help, encouragement, or emotional backing in times of need or difficulty.

  • She has always been very supportive of my decisions.
  • His supportive friends helped him through the tough times.
approving

Used when someone expresses a positive opinion or endorsement towards someone or something, indicating acceptance or satisfaction.

  • He gave an approving nod after hearing the plan.
  • Her approving smile showed she was pleased with the progress.
loyal

Describes someone who is faithful and steadfast in their support or allegiance, typically in relationships or commitments.

  • A loyal employee stayed with the company for over 20 years.
  • He is known to be a loyal friend who you can always rely on.
agreeable

Describes a person who is pleasant, willing to agree or go along with others' ideas or suggestions, often used in social or friendly interactions.

  • She found him to be agreeable and easy to talk to.
  • The weather today is quite agreeable for a walk in the park.

Examples of usage

  • He gave me a supportive nod during the meeting, indicating his agreement.
  • Her supportive attitude towards the project helped to boost morale.
  • The team members were very supportive of each other's efforts.

Translations

Translations of the word "supportive" in other languages:

🇵🇹 solidário

🇮🇳 समर्थनकारी

🇩🇪 unterstützend

🇮🇩 mendukung

🇺🇦 підтримуючий

🇵🇱 wspierający

🇯🇵 支援的な

🇫🇷 solidaire

🇪🇸 solidario

🇹🇷 destekleyici

🇰🇷 지원하는

🇸🇦 داعم

🇨🇿 podpůrný

🇸🇰 podporný

🇨🇳 支持的

🇸🇮 podporen

🇮🇸 stuðningsríkur

🇰🇿 қолдаушы

🇬🇪 მხარდამჭერი

🇦🇿 dəstəkləyici

🇲🇽 solidario

Etymology

The word 'supportive' originates from the verb 'support', which comes from the Latin word 'supportare', meaning 'to carry, convey, or sustain'. The concept of providing support or assistance to others has been valued throughout history in various cultures and societies. The adjective 'supportive' emerged in English to describe the quality of being encouraging, helpful, or approving towards others.

See also: insupportable, support, supported, supporter, supporters, supporting, supportively, supportiveness, supports, unsupportable, unsupported.

Word Frequency Rank

Position #7,626 indicates this is an advanced-level word. While not essential for basic communication, it will enhance your ability to understand and create more nuanced content.