Cryptic crossword clue
Belts or braces ultimately might do as

The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 8 letter word BOLSTERS

I've seen this crossword clue in Independent
B
O
L
S
T
E
R
S

Buddy explains!

The straight part
We know that "supports/ (8)" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case supports/ (8) = bolsters.
The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.
This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.

What does BOLSTERS mean?

BOLSTERS noun
  1. A large cushion or pillow.
  2. A pad, quilt, or anything used to hinder pressure, support part of the body, or make a bandage sit easy upon a wounded part; a compress.
  3. A small spacer located on top of the axle of horse-drawn wagons that gives the front wheels enough clearance to turn.
  4. A short, horizontal structural timber between a post and a beam for enlarging the bearing area of the post and/or reducing the span of the beam.
  5. A beam in the middle of a railway truck, supporting the body of the car.
  6. The perforated plate in a punching machine on which anything rests when being punched.
  7. The part of a knife blade that abuts upon the end of the handle.
  8. The metallic end of a pocketknife handle.
  9. The rolls forming the ends or sides of the Ionic capital.
  10. A block of wood on the carriage of a siege gun, upon which the breech of the gun rests when arranged for transportation.
BOLSTERS verb
  1. To brace, reinforce, secure, or support.

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