Synonyms (Alternatives) of Help

Help

Synonyms: Abet, aid, assist, support

What Does “Help” Mean, and What Other Words Can I Use Instead?

Definition	Example Sentence	Synonyms
(verb) to give assistance or support	My sister will help the children with their homework while I cook dinner.	abet, aid, assist, back, support
(verb) to improve/relieve, make pleasant or more bearable.	I was told to use a walking boot to help the pain.	alleviate, ease, relieve, soothe
(verb) to refrain from or keep from occurring	We couldn’t help but cry in a happy embrace when we first saw each other again.	refrain from, avoid, avert, prevent
(verb) to serve someone (with food or drink) or to take for oneself	We were told to help ourselves, so I grabbed all the snacks I could fit on my plate.	serve
(noun) a source of aid, remedy, or relief	The restaurant was busy, so I needed help from my coworker.	assistance, aid, support, guidance

The word “help” is often used as a phrasal verb: help out.

He wanted to help out, but instead, he was making things more complicated.

“Help!” is a famous song by The Beatles.

How Else Can I Ask for “Help?”

Explicitly asking for help may seem daunting to some. Here are other ways to ask for help:

Could you give me a hand?

Do you mind lending me a hand?

I need some assistance.

Can you do me a favor and…?

I need a helping hand, please.

How Else Can the Word “Help” Be Used?

1) To say that someone is helpful is to say that they’re “giving or ready to give help.”

When I first transferred here from LSU, Jackson was extremely helpful in showing me around campus.

2) Helping is the gerund or present participle of the verb form of help.

He was helping her move in.

3) However, helping can also mean “a portion (usually of food) or allocation.”

She had two helpings of rice and beans.

Other Words for Help

Everyone can use a little help every once in a while. LanguageTool, for example, is a writing assistant that can help you make sure your writing is free of spelling and grammar mistakes. It can also easily provide synonyms and suggest stylistic improvements.