supportive

[ suh-pawr-tiv, -pohr- ]

adjective

1. giving support.
2. providing sympathy or encouragement:

   His family was supportive of his attempts to be a writer.

3. providing additional help, information, etc.; auxiliary:

   manufacturers of supportive materials.

4. Medicine/Medical. helping to maintain a normal physiological balance, as by the intravenous administration of required nutriment.

Other Words From

• sup·portive·ness noun
• nonsup·portive adjective
• unsup·portive adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of supportive¹

First recorded in 1585–95; support + -ive

Example Sentences

While the industry is broadly supportive of that aim, it will increase costs, and many believe they just can’t cover it without extra funding.

From BBC

“My fear is that now, with this kind of legislation and who knows what will happen next, that is going to change even for kids who do have supportive families,” McClain said.

From Salon

And even housing with supportive services won’t be sufficient for them until they get treatment.

From Los Angeles Times

Early in his tenure as Archbishop of Canterbury, he was credited with helping usher through the vote that allowed women to become bishops, being supportive of the move through often tempestuous division.

From BBC

Still, the poll suggests that Californians could be less supportive of Harris running for governor compared with her run for president this year.

From Los Angeles Times