Gloss · Another word for · help

Another word for help.

Help is warm but vague. Say whether you shared the work, stood behind someone or made something easier.

Sharing the work

• assistMore formal; the helper plays second.Two nurses assisted with the surgery.
• pitch inCasual; one helper among many.Everyone pitched in to clean up after the party.
• lend a handCasual, and usually hands-on.He lent a hand with the heavy boxes.

Backing a person

• supportSteady help, often over time.Her parents supported her through medical school.
• backHelp by taking their side.Her old teammates backed her when she ran for office.

Making things easier

• easeTakes part of the strain away.A warm bath eased the ache in his shoulders.
• relieveLifts a pain or worry.The medicine relieved her headache within an hour.
• aidFormal; helps a process along.Short walks after meals can aid digestion.

When to keep “help”

Keep help when you’re asking for it; no other word is as quick to understand.

In Gloss, every word comes with its near neighbours and a line on how they differ, so you can pick the exact one. For iPhone, free for three days.

More words to swap

another word for show · another word for use · another word for change · another word for different · another word for new · another word for old

Guides: Words to use instead of “very” · How to be more articulate