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Definitions

lend a hand

VERB
aid
Synonyms
STRONGEST
abet alleviate assist encourage promote subsidize
STRONG
befriend benefact favor lighten mitigate relieve serve sustain
WEAK
bail out go to bat for go with open doors for stick up for straighten out
Antonyms
STRONGEST
deter discourage hinder hurt
STRONG
burden upset
WEAK
block impede injure obstruct
VERB
assist
Synonyms
STRONGEST
aid back benefit boost cooperate expedite facilitate reinforce support sustain take care of
STRONG
abet collaborate further hype plug puff push relieve serve stump thump
WEAK
bail out do for give a boost give a leg up give a lift go down the line for go for go to bat for go with grease the wheels make a pitch for open doors put on the map ride shotgun root for run interference for stand up for work for work with
Antonyms
STRONGEST
block check delay discourage halt handicap hinder hurt impede injure obstruct prevent stop undermine
STRONG
conceal frustrate hide
WEAK
thwart
VERB
cooperate
Synonyms
STRONGEST
aid assist collaborate comply with conspire contribute coordinate further help participate unite uphold
STRONG
abet advance agree band befriend coincide combine concert concur conduce espouse forward league partner second succor
WEAK
back up be in cahoots chip in coadjute give-and-take go along with join forces join in pitch in play ball pool resources pull together share in show willingness side with stick together take part work side by side work together
Antonyms
STRONGEST
block check counteract disagree harm hinder hurt obstruct oppose protest stop
STRONG
differ halt impede reject
WEAK
delay disturb encumber prevent
VERB
do for
Synonyms
WEAK
abet aid assist benefact care for help out look after provide for steady support
Antonyms
WEAK
bear deny refuse
VERB
further
Synonyms
STRONGEST
encourage expedite facilitate hasten help promote speed
STRONG
aid assist ballyhoo champion contribute engender forward foster generate patronize plug propagate push serve succor
WEAK
back up bail out give a boost to go with open doors take care of work for
Antonyms
STRONGEST
block check delay halt hinder hurt slow stop
STRONG
conceal destroy discourage hide ignore impede kill neglect oppose take withhold
WEAK
cease curtail frustrate obstruct prevent protest
VERB
help
Synonyms
STRONGEST
back benefit bolster boost cooperate encourage further maintain promote push save serve stimulate support
STRONG
abet accommodate advocate ballyhoo befriend cheer endorse hype intercede patronize plug prop puff relieve sanction second succor sustain uphold
WEAK
be of use buck up do a favor do a service do one's part go to bat for go with open doors root for see through stand by stick up for stump for take under one's wing work for
Antonyms
STRONGEST
block condemn delay depress discourage dissuade halt harm hinder hurt impede neglect obstruct prevent refuse stop undermine
STRONG
conceal disapprove frustrate hide ignore oppose protest
WEAK
check counteract decrease injure worsen
VERB
participate
Synonyms
STRONGEST
aid compete cooperate engage engage in perform play share
STRONG
concur partake strive
WEAK
associate with be a participant be a party to be into chip in come in enter into get in on get in on the act go into have a hand in have to do with join in latch on sit in sit in on take an interest in tune in
Antonyms
STRONGEST
block direct hinder impede obstruct prevent stop
WEAK
observe watch
VERB
pitch in
Synonyms
STRONGEST
come through get going
WEAK
aid attack begin buckle down chip in commence contribute contribute work cooperate do do one's bit fall to get busy get cracking go to it help hop to it join in jump in launch participate plunge into set about set to subscribe tackle tee off volunteer wade in
Antonyms
WEAK
hinder hurt prevent
VERB
reinforce
Synonyms
STRONGEST
add to bolster boost build up buttress emphasize enlarge fortify increase shore up stress support underline
STRONG
carry energize harden hype multiply prop stiffen stroke supplement sustain toughen
WEAK
add fuel to fire back up beef up heat up pick up pillar prop up punch up soup up stand up for
Antonyms
STRONGEST
decrease diminish discourage hinder hurt lessen let down play down prevent reduce undermine weaken
STRONG
liquefy melt soften
WEAK
subtract take away
VERB
step in
Synonyms
WEAK
arrive be invited chip in come enter intercede interfere intermediate interpose intervene mediate negotiate take action
Antonyms
WEAK
abandon leave wash hands
VERB
sustain
Synonyms
STRONGEST
assist bolster buoy continue defend help nurse preserve save
STRONG
aid approve back bankroll bear befriend brace buttress carry comfort confirm convey endorse favor feed foster lug nourish nurture pack prolong prop protract ratify relieve supply support tote transfer transport uphold validate verify
WEAK
go for keep alive keep from falling keep going provide for shore up stand by stick up for
Antonyms
STRONGEST
harm hinder hurt obstruct stop
STRONG
abbreviate condemn contradict deny deprive disagree disapprove discourage disprove hold ignore injure invalidate keep let down let go maintain neglect oppose refuse reject shorten starve take trouble veto weaken
WEAK
abstain discontinue halt

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

But she will not be roping in her mum, Liz, to help out despite the former world 10,000m champion being desperate to step in and lend a hand.

From BBC • Jan. 24, 2026

When Jennifer Arnold learned one of her neighbors in the midwestern city of Minneapolis had been arrested by immigration authorities late last year, she reached out to lend a hand.

From Barron's • Jan. 10, 2026

At Club Gay Gardens’ September gathering, attendees ranged in age and botanical savvy, with some boasting degrees in horticulture and others just happy to lend a hand.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 15, 2025

Almost all lend a hand on an ongoing basis, whether contributing to savings accounts, setting up trusts or defraying the costs of college tuition, medical bills and other expenses.

From Salon • May 11, 2025

He wasn’t afraid to work hard and was always willing to lend a hand.

From "Death on the River of Doubt" by Samantha Seiple

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.