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
Not to mention, a budding rap career that would have been bolstered by playing for a Bay Area franchise in the heart of the West Coast rap scene.
—
Nathan Canilao, Mercury News, 18 Apr. 2026
It's also been bolstered by celeb power from figures such as Kerry Washington, John Legend and Pusha T.
—Oren Oppenheim, ABC News, 17 Apr. 2026
Cormac Heney’s three-run blast bolstered Hamilton-Wenham in a 12-2 win over Newburyport.
—Kristina Banahan, Boston Herald, 15 Apr. 2026
The bank's strong results were bolstered by its equity sales and trading unit.
—Davis Giangiulio,darla Mercado, Cfp®, CNBC, 15 Apr. 2026
The former lawmaker has bolstered Democrats’ hopes of flipping the state, which could give them a boost in the broader fight for Senate control.
—Julia Mueller, The Hill, 15 Apr. 2026
Anton Forsberg made 27 saves in his third shutout of the season, and the Los Angeles Kings greatly bolstered their playoff chances with a 1-0 victory over the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday.
—CBS News, 12 Apr. 2026
Other preventive programs have been initiated or bolstered in recent years.
—Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Apr. 2026
The Chiefs in late December announced plans to move to Kansas, bolstered by that state’s sweeping incentives package.
—Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 9 Apr. 2026
Nathan Canilao, Mercury News, 18 Apr. 2026
It's also been bolstered by celeb power from figures such as Kerry Washington, John Legend and Pusha T.
—Oren Oppenheim, ABC News, 17 Apr. 2026
Cormac Heney’s three-run blast bolstered Hamilton-Wenham in a 12-2 win over Newburyport.
—Kristina Banahan, Boston Herald, 15 Apr. 2026
The bank's strong results were bolstered by its equity sales and trading unit.
—Davis Giangiulio,darla Mercado, Cfp®, CNBC, 15 Apr. 2026
The former lawmaker has bolstered Democrats’ hopes of flipping the state, which could give them a boost in the broader fight for Senate control.
—Julia Mueller, The Hill, 15 Apr. 2026
Anton Forsberg made 27 saves in his third shutout of the season, and the Los Angeles Kings greatly bolstered their playoff chances with a 1-0 victory over the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday.
—CBS News, 12 Apr. 2026
Other preventive programs have been initiated or bolstered in recent years.
—Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Apr. 2026
The Chiefs in late December announced plans to move to Kansas, bolstered by that state’s sweeping incentives package.
—Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 9 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bolstered
Verb
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Bromley rely on chaos and marginal gains but there is a method to their madness, without which sustained excellence over a league season would be impossible.—
Anantaajith Raghuraman,
New York Times,
23 Apr. 2026
-
Authorities did not immediately disclose the cause of death or provide details on whether it was directly linked to injuries sustained during the operation.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The trade deadline additions and the strong finish only reinforced that.—
Corey Masisak,
Denver Post,
19 Apr. 2026
-
The Supreme Court later reinforced those interpretations, enabling Maduro to run for president while serving as acting head of state.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
In comments carried by the semiofficial Tasnim news agency, Ahmad Khatami said no one will dare to attack Iran anymore because that will not lead anywhere, and the people of Iran will not agree to negotiate with humiliation.—
Will Clark,
NBC news,
17 Apr. 2026
-
The collision threw the victim onto the hood and he was carried about 125 feet before falling off the car onto the street, police said.—
Carlos E. Castañeda,
CBS News,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The governor supported reducing taxes.—
John Ramos,
CBS News,
21 Apr. 2026
-
Researchers Nick McMann and James Forester started the study for the U with a grant from the Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund, which is supported by a share of state lottery profits.—
Tribune News Service,
Baltimore Sun,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The governor’s map was challenged in court, with several lower court rulings against it, but it was ultimately upheld by the Florida Supreme Court in July 2025.—
Jeffrey Schweers,
The Orlando Sentinel,
11 Apr. 2026
-
Again, if that case had been brought in a post-ACA 7 California state court, the district’s discriminatory policies would have been upheld.—
Alison Somin,
Oc Register,
10 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bolstered.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bolstered. Accessed 23 Apr. 2026.
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