1
: a long pillow or cushion
2
: a structural part designed to eliminate friction or provide support or bearing (see bearing sense 5)
Synonyms
Examples of bolster in a Sentence
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
Daniel Mollenkamp, USA TODAY, 6 Sep. 2023
Others believe certain firearms were likely supplied from Iran, which the US State Department has said bolsters the terrorist group with money, military equipment and training.
—Isabelle Chapman, CNN, 13 Oct. 2023
Each of these knives has had its butt kicked—and its belly, bolsters, spine, and scales.
—T. Edward Nickens, Field & Stream, 5 Oct. 2023
This outstanding dog bed has a striking and opulent design, with a sturdy aluminum frame and a luxurious 4-inch bolster cushion.
—Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 20 June 2023
There’s a slightly longer guard at the bolster for an additional safety boost, and the boning blade carries most of its width all the way to the tip, which is still acute enough to detangle silverskin and make deft cuts through joint ligaments and tendons.
—T. Edward Nickens, Field & Stream, 5 Oct. 2023
The dual bolster cushion is much more comfortable to place on your lap than an overheating laptop.
—Alida Nugent, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 Sep. 2023
That's certainly true for those with wider waistlines, given the front seats' confining bolsters.
—Greg S. Fink, Car and Driver, 1 June 2023
The front seats have a wide base and supportive side bolster, but their back cushions are too narrow for some occupants.
—Greg S. Fink, Car and Driver, 8 June 2023
Ann M. Simmons, WSJ, 23 Nov. 2023
Five years ago, Bezos pledged $2 billion to open preschools in low-income neighborhoods and bolster nonprofits that specifically helped homeless families.
—Blake Nelson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Nov. 2023
Getting heated in Arizona: Senate Republicans’ campaign arm launched a new digital ad bolstering Independent Sen. Kyrsten Sinema’s Democratic credentials in an apparent effort to lower her support among Republican voters, per NBC’s Sahil Kapur.
—Alexandra Marquez, NBC News, 21 Nov. 2023
The commemorations on Tuesday were clearly intended to bolster Ukrainians’ resilience and courage in the face of Russia’s invasion.
—Constant Méheut, New York Times, 21 Nov. 2023
The Chinese government has also taken strategic steps over the last decade to bolster CATL and other electric vehicle industry companies based in China.
—Thomas Catenacci, Fox News, 21 Nov. 2023
Investors cheered the move, which was designed to bolster Disney’s content arsenal.
—Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 20 Nov. 2023
But mental health experts, politicians and the state’s own measures show the transformational change Deeds hoped for has remained elusive, despite real improvements that have bolstered the system.
—Justin Jouvenal, Washington Post, 18 Nov. 2023
His newfound freedom to play was bolstered in a positive way by having on the right, comfortable shoes.
—Victoria Uwumarogie, Essence, 17 Nov. 2023
See More
Noun
Increasingly, calculus is seen as a necessary bolster for competitive college applications.
—Daniel Mollenkamp, USA TODAY, 6 Sep. 2023
Others believe certain firearms were likely supplied from Iran, which the US State Department has said bolsters the terrorist group with money, military equipment and training.
—Isabelle Chapman, CNN, 13 Oct. 2023
Each of these knives has had its butt kicked—and its belly, bolsters, spine, and scales.
—T. Edward Nickens, Field & Stream, 5 Oct. 2023
This outstanding dog bed has a striking and opulent design, with a sturdy aluminum frame and a luxurious 4-inch bolster cushion.
—Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 20 June 2023
There’s a slightly longer guard at the bolster for an additional safety boost, and the boning blade carries most of its width all the way to the tip, which is still acute enough to detangle silverskin and make deft cuts through joint ligaments and tendons.
—T. Edward Nickens, Field & Stream, 5 Oct. 2023
The dual bolster cushion is much more comfortable to place on your lap than an overheating laptop.
—Alida Nugent, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 Sep. 2023
That's certainly true for those with wider waistlines, given the front seats' confining bolsters.
—Greg S. Fink, Car and Driver, 1 June 2023
The front seats have a wide base and supportive side bolster, but their back cushions are too narrow for some occupants.
—Greg S. Fink, Car and Driver, 8 June 2023
Verb
The European Union will help Finland bolster its borders following a recent surge of migrants trying to enter the country from Russia, whom Helsinki has accused of facilitating their passage.
—Ann M. Simmons, WSJ, 23 Nov. 2023
Five years ago, Bezos pledged $2 billion to open preschools in low-income neighborhoods and bolster nonprofits that specifically helped homeless families.
—Blake Nelson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Nov. 2023
Getting heated in Arizona: Senate Republicans’ campaign arm launched a new digital ad bolstering Independent Sen. Kyrsten Sinema’s Democratic credentials in an apparent effort to lower her support among Republican voters, per NBC’s Sahil Kapur.
—Alexandra Marquez, NBC News, 21 Nov. 2023
The commemorations on Tuesday were clearly intended to bolster Ukrainians’ resilience and courage in the face of Russia’s invasion.
—Constant Méheut, New York Times, 21 Nov. 2023
The Chinese government has also taken strategic steps over the last decade to bolster CATL and other electric vehicle industry companies based in China.
—Thomas Catenacci, Fox News, 21 Nov. 2023
Investors cheered the move, which was designed to bolster Disney’s content arsenal.
—Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 20 Nov. 2023
But mental health experts, politicians and the state’s own measures show the transformational change Deeds hoped for has remained elusive, despite real improvements that have bolstered the system.
—Justin Jouvenal, Washington Post, 18 Nov. 2023
His newfound freedom to play was bolstered in a positive way by having on the right, comfortable shoes.
—Victoria Uwumarogie, Essence, 17 Nov. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'bolster.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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 Dec. 2023.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
bolster
1 of 2 noun
bol·ster
ˈbōl-stər 
1
: a long pillow or cushion
2
: a structural part designed to eliminate friction or provide support
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
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