prop up
Keep from falling
To prop up is to support something that would otherwise fall or fail.
A stick props up a sagging fence; pillows prop up a patient in bed.
Figuratively, prop up often describes artificial support for something unsustainable: The government propped up failing banks.
The phrase frequently carries skepticism—what's being propped up probably can't stand on its own.
Strengthen or buttress
- boostUpward push or increase
- reinforceAdd strength to something
- strengthenMake more robust
- buoyTethered nautical signal
sustain · maintain · undergird · back · encourage · aid · assist · help
Device providing structural stability
- buttressArchitectural wall reinforcement
- shoreLand bordering water
- scaffoldTemporary elevated work structure
- leanLacking fat; incline
wedge · steady · stabilize · balance · position · tilt · angle · rest
Keep something going continuously
- maintainKeep in condition
- bolsterStrengthen or buttress
- backReverse side; support
- legitimizeMake lawful or valid
regime · puppet · authoritarian · dictator · install · consolidate · perpetuate · preserve
bolster
Strengthen or buttress
- boostUpward push or increase
- reinforceAdd strength to something
- strengthenMake more robust
buoy · sustain · maintain · undergird · back · encourage · aid · assist · help · lift
brace
Device providing structural stability
- buttressArchitectural wall reinforcement
- shoreLand bordering water
- scaffoldTemporary elevated work structure
lean · wedge · steady · stabilize · balance · position · tilt · angle · rest · place
sustain
Keep something going continuously
legitimize · regime · puppet · authoritarian · dictator · install · consolidate · perpetuate · preserve · entrench
underpin
Support from below
- reinforceAdd strength to something
- strengthenMake more robust
- fortifyMake stronger against threat
buttress · stabilize · secure · anchor · foundation · beam · joist · strut · truss · girder
bail out
Rescue from trouble
inject · stimulus · lifeline · buoy · backstop · float · salvage · underwrite · bankroll · fund
- helpingaid, assist, give a hand, help, helping hand
- liftinglift, hoist, crane, elevate, raise
- sustain synonymsmaintain, preserve, continue, carry on, bolster
- resting positionslie down, lie flat, recline, repose, prone
- constructionconstruction site, building site, hammer, building, beam
- strengthenstrengthen, reinforce, fortify, bolster, toughen
prop upknock down
Cause to collapse
topple · knock over · push over · bring down · collapse
up, support, prop, uphold, props, shore up, propped, propping