1
as in sustained
to hold up or serve as a foundation for
used additional beams to bolster the ceiling
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in reinforced
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of bolstered
The Fire were bolstered by a crowd of almost 20,000 eager to welcome the WNBA back to Portland for the first time in 24 years.
—
Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 10 May 2026
And Barcelona only seem set to become stronger, with a young team led by Yamal (out injured for the rest of the season) sure to be bolstered this summer.
—Dermot Corrigan, New York Times, 10 May 2026
While hardware sales fell to 110 billion yen in the fourth quarter, compared to 183 billion yen in the same period last year, revenue was bolstered by strong performances in Sony's image sensor and music businesses.
—Kai Nicol-Schwarz, CNBC, 8 May 2026
That’s what the Citizens Budget Commission found in a report published this week and bolstered by testimony before the City Council.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 8 May 2026
Senior Oliver O’Donnell said club experiences bolstered his confidence and public speaking skills.
—Sacbee.com, 8 May 2026
Zippy, smart editing moves us through the story, drawing connections where necessary, bolstered by that ol’ octopus voiceover, and gently guiding us to some major plot points.
—Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 7 May 2026
For now, consumers have been bolstered by healthy tax refunds, which were lifted by last year’s tax cut legislation, but much of that benefit is being eaten up by higher prices at the pump.
—Christopher Rugaber, Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2026
The film struck a chord with audiences, bolstered by its sharp humor and memorable performances, and even went on to receive an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Musical or Comedy Score.
—Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 1 May 2026
Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 10 May 2026
And Barcelona only seem set to become stronger, with a young team led by Yamal (out injured for the rest of the season) sure to be bolstered this summer.
—Dermot Corrigan, New York Times, 10 May 2026
While hardware sales fell to 110 billion yen in the fourth quarter, compared to 183 billion yen in the same period last year, revenue was bolstered by strong performances in Sony's image sensor and music businesses.
—Kai Nicol-Schwarz, CNBC, 8 May 2026
That’s what the Citizens Budget Commission found in a report published this week and bolstered by testimony before the City Council.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 8 May 2026
Senior Oliver O’Donnell said club experiences bolstered his confidence and public speaking skills.
—Sacbee.com, 8 May 2026
Zippy, smart editing moves us through the story, drawing connections where necessary, bolstered by that ol’ octopus voiceover, and gently guiding us to some major plot points.
—Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 7 May 2026
For now, consumers have been bolstered by healthy tax refunds, which were lifted by last year’s tax cut legislation, but much of that benefit is being eaten up by higher prices at the pump.
—Christopher Rugaber, Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2026
The film struck a chord with audiences, bolstered by its sharp humor and memorable performances, and even went on to receive an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Musical or Comedy Score.
—Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 1 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bolstered
Verb
-
On Wednesday, the Beltline released a new analysis showing that its Planning Area has sustained more than 91,000 jobs and has surpassed the $10 billion private investment goal years before it had been projected at the project's start.—
Dan Raby,
CBS News,
13 May 2026
-
The residents sheltering in place during the pandemic hit more deer, left more trash that fed more rats, all of which sustained a bigger pack of coyotes over the past year.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
12 May 2026
Verb
-
Local authorities formally closed all hiking routes to Mount Dukono in April and reinforced the ban following Friday’s incident.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
9 May 2026
-
Standards in science and public health are not abstract ideals; they are shaped and reinforced by the conduct of those in leadership.—
Sam Zeveloff,
STAT,
9 May 2026
Verb
-
Wearing a tasteful, monk-like robe in muted camel, Grogu was ceremoniously carried to a waiting bank of red carpet photographers.—
Bryan Alexander,
USA Today,
16 May 2026
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Goldman Sachs analysts reported in late 2025 that companies announcing layoffs carried higher debt, higher capital expenditure, and lower profit growth than peers, suggesting the cuts were responses to financial distress rather than AI efficiency gains.—
Julie Averill,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
Mancera concluded the post by once again thanking those who had supported her following Kneeland’s death.—
Angelique Brenes,
PEOPLE,
13 May 2026
-
The bill, which was supported by nurses, teachers, construction workers and service employees in Connecticut, is one of the biggest victories for organized labor in the state in recent years.—
Andrew Brown,
Hartford Courant,
12 May 2026
Verb
-
Shirilla’s legal camp filed an appeal in September 2023, but the Ohio Eighth District Court of Appeals upheld her conviction.—
Marlene Lenthang,
NBC news,
15 May 2026
-
Sharon Fermyn, who has lived in the neighborhood for nearly 20 years, now lives along the dividing line between congressional districts that cuts through Columbus Park after the Missouri Supreme Court upheld the new congressional maps Tuesday.—
Ben Wheeler,
Kansas City Star,
15 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bolstered.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bolstered. Accessed 17 May. 2026.
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