Meaning & use
supportive
Last updated
Meanings
adjectivecomparableapproving
Giving help, encouragement or understanding to someone, especially when they are facing difficulty.
Grammar: Follows be, or comes before a noun; often with of or toward.
Patterns
- supportive of someone
- supportive of something
- a supportive friend
My parents were very supportive when I changed careers.
She is supportive of the new plan.
A supportive teacher can make a big difference.
adjectivebefore a nounmedicaltechnical
Providing extra help or strength, as in treatment or materials that assist but do not cure or replace.
Grammar: Used before nouns such as care or evidence.
Patterns
- supportive care
Patients received supportive care while the infection ran its course.
The data are only supportive evidence, not proof.
Word forms
| comparative | more supportive |
|---|---|
| superlative | most supportive |
Common combinations
- supportive of
- He was supportive of her decision.
- a supportive environment
- The school offers a supportive environment.
- incredibly supportive
- Her friends were incredibly supportive.
- supportive care
- The hospital provides supportive care.
Synonyms and how they differ
- encouraging
- Focuses on boosting confidence, not necessarily practical help.
- helpful
- Practical usefulness, with no emotional backing implied.
- caring
- Emphasizes warmth, without backing a person's goals.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: supportive or supported?
supportive vs supported
Supported means held up or backed; supportive describes a person giving help.
Practice
When Maria lost her job, her friends were ___ and helped her prepare for interviews.
Choose one answer.
Supportive describes people who give help and encouragement. Supported would describe Maria being helped, not the friends.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “supportive”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.