Copy Citation
Test your vocabulary with our 10-question quiz!
TAKE THE QUIZ2
: a structural part designed to eliminate friction or provide support or bearing (see bearing sense 5)
Synonyms
Example Sentences
Verb
She came with me to bolster my confidence.
a convincing argument that was bolstered by the speaker's reputation
She is thinking of ways to bolster her career.
Recent Examples on the Web
Katie Workman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Jan. 2023
An unexpected bolster in sales, as well as a busy Thanksgiving week, helped the longest-running show in Broadway history earn $2.2 million in sales last week, according to The New York Times.
—Marianne Garvey, CNN, 29 Nov. 2022
The bolster also helps nervous dogs feel comforted and assured.
—Dallas News, 22 Dec. 2022
After 10 minutes trying to remove their handiwork with a bolster, my eyes fell on the shuttered science building.
—George Bass, Discover Magazine, 23 Aug. 2021
With upholstered tufting and a bolster pillow, the vibrant daybed makes a cozy spot for lounging or napping.
—Jessica Bennett, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Oct. 2022
That’s because vast amounts of cash come with an array of decisions, each with the potential to squander or invest the money, increase or decrease happiness, and bolster or torpedo close relationships.
—Beth Decarbo, WSJ, 24 Nov. 2022
Gabriel Hendifar, artistic director and CEO of the design studio Apparatus, covered the walls of his Manhattan bedroom with rich, velvet-like fabric that contrasts with the plush bedcover and bolster by Zak+Fox.
—Bebe Howorth, ELLE Decor, 8 Sep. 2022
Fun patterned accessories—like the lampshade and bolster pillow—bring personality to what would otherwise be a pass-through space.
—Andrea Cooley, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Aug. 2022
Liz Essley Whyte, WSJ, 27 Jan. 2023
SpaceX fired a new GPS satellite into orbit on behalf of the US military on Wednesday, continuing an effort to bolster the constellation of global positioning and navigation satellites that underpin smartphone apps, wartime operations and more.
—Jackie Wattles, CNN, 18 Jan. 2023
Rather, it is seen as a starting point for future efforts to bolster oversight of the presidency.
—Time, 30 Dec. 2022
Rather, it is seen as a starting point for future efforts to bolster oversight of the presidency.
—The Salt Lake Tribune, 30 Dec. 2022
Rather, it is seen as a starting point for future efforts to bolster oversight of the presidency.
—Michael R. Sisak, Fortune, 30 Dec. 2022
Rather, it is seen as a starting point for future efforts to bolster oversight of the presidency.
—Michael R. Sisak, BostonGlobe.com, 30 Dec. 2022
Rather, it is seen as a starting point for future efforts to bolster oversight of the presidency.
—Dallas News, 30 Dec. 2022
But in an effort to bolster a sense of community around events more inclusive than motorsports, the Rolls-Royce–themed escape was introduced into this expansive landscape.
—Basem Wasef, Robb Report, 27 Dec. 2022
See More
Noun
Most chef’s knives are either 8 or 10 inches long, from the bolster (where the blade meets the handle) to the tip of the blade.
—Katie Workman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Jan. 2023
An unexpected bolster in sales, as well as a busy Thanksgiving week, helped the longest-running show in Broadway history earn $2.2 million in sales last week, according to The New York Times.
—Marianne Garvey, CNN, 29 Nov. 2022
The bolster also helps nervous dogs feel comforted and assured.
—Dallas News, 22 Dec. 2022
After 10 minutes trying to remove their handiwork with a bolster, my eyes fell on the shuttered science building.
—George Bass, Discover Magazine, 23 Aug. 2021
With upholstered tufting and a bolster pillow, the vibrant daybed makes a cozy spot for lounging or napping.
—Jessica Bennett, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Oct. 2022
That’s because vast amounts of cash come with an array of decisions, each with the potential to squander or invest the money, increase or decrease happiness, and bolster or torpedo close relationships.
—Beth Decarbo, WSJ, 24 Nov. 2022
Gabriel Hendifar, artistic director and CEO of the design studio Apparatus, covered the walls of his Manhattan bedroom with rich, velvet-like fabric that contrasts with the plush bedcover and bolster by Zak+Fox.
—Bebe Howorth, ELLE Decor, 8 Sep. 2022
Fun patterned accessories—like the lampshade and bolster pillow—bring personality to what would otherwise be a pass-through space.
—Andrea Cooley, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Aug. 2022
Verb
Virus experts advising the federal government backed proposals to bolster oversight of research that could make pathogens more dangerous or contagious.
—Liz Essley Whyte, WSJ, 27 Jan. 2023
SpaceX fired a new GPS satellite into orbit on behalf of the US military on Wednesday, continuing an effort to bolster the constellation of global positioning and navigation satellites that underpin smartphone apps, wartime operations and more.
—Jackie Wattles, CNN, 18 Jan. 2023
Rather, it is seen as a starting point for future efforts to bolster oversight of the presidency.
—Time, 30 Dec. 2022
Rather, it is seen as a starting point for future efforts to bolster oversight of the presidency.
—The Salt Lake Tribune, 30 Dec. 2022
Rather, it is seen as a starting point for future efforts to bolster oversight of the presidency.
—Michael R. Sisak, Fortune, 30 Dec. 2022
Rather, it is seen as a starting point for future efforts to bolster oversight of the presidency.
—Michael R. Sisak, BostonGlobe.com, 30 Dec. 2022
Rather, it is seen as a starting point for future efforts to bolster oversight of the presidency.
—Dallas News, 30 Dec. 2022
But in an effort to bolster a sense of community around events more inclusive than motorsports, the Rolls-Royce–themed escape was introduced into this expansive landscape.
—Basem Wasef, Robb Report, 27 Dec. 2022
See More
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'bolster.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Word History
Etymology
Noun and Verb
Middle English, from Old English; akin to Old English belg bag — more at belly
First Known Use
Noun
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Verb
1508, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Time Traveler
The first known use of bolster was
before the 12th century
Dictionary Entries Near bolster
Cite this Entry
“Bolster.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bolster. Accessed 6 Feb. 2023.
Kids Definition
bolster
1 of 2 noun
bol·ster
ˈbōl-stər 
Legal Definition
bolster
transitive verb
bol·ster
ˈbōl-stər
: to use evidence usually improperly to give weight to (evidence already introduced)
More from Merriam-Webster on bolster
Nglish: Translation of bolster for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of bolster for Arabic Speakers
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
-
- Namesake of the leotard, Jules Léotard had what profession?
Can you make 12 words with 7 letters?
PLAY
Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games
-
A Good Old-Fashioned Quiz
Can you name these antiquated items?
Take the quiz
-
Which Came First?
"Leggings" or "mom jeans"? "Chillax" or "dumpster...
Take the quiz
-
How Strong Is Your Vocabulary?
Test your vocabulary with our 10-question quiz!
Take the quiz
-
Spelling Bee Quiz
Can you outdo past winners of the National Spelli...
Take the quiz
Share