BOLSTERED Synonyms: 30 Similar and Opposite Words

bolstered

verb

past tense of bolster

as in sustained

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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

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 bolstered The original show’s international profile has now been further bolstered by its shoot in Japan, where the series has become such a huge hit that setting part of Season 7 in Tokyo was a natural next step. — Ed Meza, Variety, 14 Oct. 2026 Such moves have been bolstered by tens of billions of dollars in new funding from Congress. — Mathew Miranda, Sacbee.com, 14 Oct. 2026 This retaliatory strategy was bolstered by successful Houthi moves in early September to establish a degree of control over the Strait of Bab el-Mandeb, one of the world’s most important maritime choke points. — Laurent Bonnefoy, The Conversation, 14 Oct. 2026 The commander, speaking on condition of anonymity to describe battlefield details, said rebel forces were surprisingly large, and bolstered by medium and short-range ballistic missiles. — ABC News, 13 Oct. 2026 During a drive bolstered by a 36-yard pass from Thomas to Dakorien Moore, Oregon nailed a field goal, cutting the lead to a possession. — Elias Esquivel, Los Angeles Times, 11 Oct. 2026 Beyond France, risks loom large The latest ructions in markets could weigh on a fragile economic recovery in Europe, bolstered by investment into artificial intelligence, stronger demand for European exports and higher defense spending in Germany. — Hanna Ziady, CNN Money, 7 Oct. 2026 The set’s first-week sales were bolstered by its availability across 16 vinyl variants (one with a bonus track), nine CD variants (one with a bonus track), six download variants (most with bonus tracks) and a cassette. — Keith Caulfield, Billboard, 28 Sep. 2026 The shape, while certainly short, was bolstered by three-dimensional bubbles, some silver, others a turquoise shade. — Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 28 Sep. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for bolstered

Verb

And once quarterback Trent Green sustained a concussion in Week 5 the offense became anemic with Cleo Lemon and John Beck at the helm.

— Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 9 Oct. 2026
Joaquín Ruano’s drama traces a relationship unfolding amid escalating tensions with Romero’s fellow guards, using violence as an ever-present pressure that exposes what the characters attempt to conceal and what can no longer be sustained.

— Anna Marie de la Fuente, Variety, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of sustained

Verb

Strong consumer interest reinforced the brand’s investment in brick-and-mortar retail, said Antoine Mothay, cofounder of Polène.

— Ryma Chikhoune, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2026
Matt Schnaars, president of platform distribution and partnerships for NBCUniversal, reinforced Shapiro’s observations in a separate session.

— Leo Barraclough, Variety, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of reinforced

Verb

And while Hill is paying a half-million-dollar price for his battery, the judgment falls well short of expectations the plaintiff may have carried into the start of the trial.

— Armando Salguero OutKick, FOXNews.com, 14 Oct. 2026
To ensure the result stood up to scrutiny, the DS's charging port was sealed before departure, and Verstaen carried two GPS trackers during the ride.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of carried

Verb

The demonstration marked the completion of the project’s first phase, supported by funding from the US Department of Energy.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 16 Oct. 2026
The force, which rose to a peak of about 5,000 troops over the summer, has supported arrest operations, patrolled city streets and neighborhoods, and participated in cleanup efforts.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of supported

Verb

The Republican administration says the 4th Circuit decision conflicts with rulings by at least three other circuits and, if upheld, will hamper the government's ability to deport immigrants with terrorism ties in many other cases.

— ABC News, ABC News, 13 Oct. 2026
That decision, upheld on appeal, put the onus on the Continuum of Care, an amorphous entity with a board and open membership that had long functioned as an appendage of LAHSA but actually had the statutory power to hire or fire the agency.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of upheld

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bolster

bolstered

bolsterer

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“Bolstered.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bolstered. Accessed 17 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of bolstered

verb

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