bolster 1 of 2

1
as in to sustain
to hold up or serve as a foundation for used additional beams to bolster the ceiling

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in to reinforce
to provide evidence or information for (as a claim or idea) a couple of tournament wins would bolster the extravagant claims that have been made on behalf of the young golfer

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

bolster

2 of 2

noun

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of bolster
Verb
The new generation features several interior improvements, including new seats constructed with better materials and stronger bolsters. James Raia, Mercury News, 17 Aug. 2025 This cleaver was sharp as all get out and had a comfortable handle with an integrated bolster, too. Bon Appétit, Bon Appetit Magazine, 25 July 2025
Noun
The purchase by the Santa Clara County Housing Authority bolsters the agency’s mission to preserve affordable homes in the South Bay. George Avalos, Mercury News, 23 Oct. 2025 TelevisaUnivision has been working to bolster its balance sheet after Alegre took its corporate reins of TelevisaUnivision from Wade Davis, the former Viacom CFO who orchestrated a buyout of Univision in 2020 before merging it with Mexico’s Grupo Televisa in 2022, ceded his CEO role to him. Brian Steinberg, Variety, 23 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for bolster
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bolster
Verb
  • The grandfather sustained severe burns after trying to save the two children from the house fire, KTRK-TV and CBS affiliate KHOU reported.
    Abigail Adams, PEOPLE, 23 Oct. 2025
  • Surely, Engelhardt suggested, the limits of the human body and brain could not sustain such extreme energy, not for long.
    Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 23 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Steven Adler published an analysis showing that ChatGPT repeatedly and falsely reinforced one man’s delusions and psychological distress.
    Diane Brady, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2025
  • The universal love is the applause, either heard in person or received from afar, a love reinforced by the sense of an instant, intimate family—a life backstage or in the trailer, far more interesting than the often unhappy family left behind.
    Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 20 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The trip to the top of the arch takes 45 to 60 minutes and includes 10 minutes at the top of the arch.
    Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 23 Oct. 2025
  • Khloé said, showing off the pumpkin decorating stations, trees decorated with cobwebs, witches' hats, cobwebs and bats, and the orange and black balloon arches.
    Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 22 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • One woman’s attempt to balance her own celebration while supporting her sister’s engagement has spiraled into a year-long feud.
    Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 19 Oct. 2025
  • If elected, Dahle said his main priority is to ensure responsible stewardship of taxpayer resources while supporting the district’s mission of providing high-quality education for all students.
    Talia McWright, Twin Cities, 19 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The three-axis flexible bracket also makes installation simple, even on challenging corners, while compatibility with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and the Baseus Security app ensures seamless integration into your smart home setup.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 16 Oct. 2025
  • For those in the 22% tax bracket, having that amount forgiven would trigger a tax burden of more than $12,000, Kantrowitz estimates.
    Annie Nova, CNBC, 16 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Running back Chase Brown had his best game of the year on the ground, rushing for 108 yards on just 11 carries against the Pittsburgh defense.
    Matt Audilet, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Oct. 2025
  • Washington also had a 48-yard run on the Razorbacks’ first drive and finished with 147 yards on 16 carries.
    Matt Jones, Arkansas Online, 19 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • OpenAI unveiled a web browser on Tuesday in a bid to make its ChatGPT AI product the starting point for online access and establish itself as central pillar of the internet economy.
    Alexei Oreskovic, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2025
  • Removing the roof required a fair amount of engineering to ensure torsional rigidity, including strengthening the door sills, A-pillars, and adding cross-body braces.
    Sean Evans, Robb Report, 21 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The guarantors demand Hamas uphold its obligations under the ceasefire terms.
    Mandy Taheri, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Oct. 2025
  • In a tribunal hearing in December 2024 that upheld an earlier decision to bar Yang from the UK, it was revealed that Yang was authorized to act on Prince Andrew’s behalf during business meetings with potential Chinese investors in the UK.
    Max Foster, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Bolster.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bolster. Accessed 24 Oct. 2025.

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