Help.
Synonyms:
| abet, | befriend, | foster, | succor, | uphold. |
| aid, | cooperate, | second, | support, | |
| assist, | encourage, | stand by, | sustain, |
Help expresses greater dependence and deeper need than aid. In extremity we say "God help me!" rather than "God aid me!" In time of danger we cry "help! help!" rather than "aid! aid!" To aid is to second another's own exertions. We can speak of helping the helpless, but not of aiding them. Help includes aid, but aid may fall short of the meaning of help. In law to aid or abet makes one a principal. (Compare synonyms for ACCESSORY.) To cooperate is to aid as an equal; to assist implies a subordinate and secondary relation. One assists a fallen friend to rise; he cooperates with him in helping others. Encourage refers to mental aid, as uphold now usually does; succor and support, oftenest to material assistance. We encourage the timid or despondent, succor the endangered, support the weak, uphold those who else might be shaken or cast down. Compare ABET; PROMOTE.
Antonyms:
counteract, discourage, oppose, resist, thwart, withstand.
Prepositions:
Help in an enterprise with money; help to success; against the enemy.