soutenir

to support, to sustain

verb soo-tuh-NEER Less Common

Origin: Latin sustinere (to hold up, to sustain)

Also means

to maintain (a claim), to bear

Usage Note

soutenir conjugates like tenir and venir. It covers physical support (soutenir un mur, 'to support a wall'), moral support (soutenir un ami, 'to support a friend'), and asserting a position (soutenir une thèse, 'to defend a thesis'). The noun soutien means 'support'.

Examples

"Ses amis l'ont soutenu pendant la crise."

Natural Translation

His friends supported him during the crisis.

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