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
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
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.
—ABC News, 11 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
As the temperamental Moon enters your sign, you’re bolstered to stand up and state your needs without apology.
—Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 8 Apr. 2026
The Wings have sold out season tickets in back-to-back seasons (2024, 2025), bolstered by last season's arrival of Paige Bueckers, the top pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft and one of the faces of the league.
—Eric Prisbell, Dallas Morning News, 8 Apr. 2026
But Kiraly is not convinced the president’s budget proposal would lend enough support — even for the projects that Isaacman has personally bolstered.
—Jackie Wattles, CNN Money, 5 Apr. 2026
The lineup is loaded, bolstered by South Carolina commit Bella Bourque (junior shortstop) and UMass commit Aniyah Bailey (junior catcher).
—Tom Mulherin, Boston Herald, 4 Apr. 2026
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
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.
—ABC News, 11 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
As the temperamental Moon enters your sign, you’re bolstered to stand up and state your needs without apology.
—Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 8 Apr. 2026
The Wings have sold out season tickets in back-to-back seasons (2024, 2025), bolstered by last season's arrival of Paige Bueckers, the top pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft and one of the faces of the league.
—Eric Prisbell, Dallas Morning News, 8 Apr. 2026
But Kiraly is not convinced the president’s budget proposal would lend enough support — even for the projects that Isaacman has personally bolstered.
—Jackie Wattles, CNN Money, 5 Apr. 2026
The lineup is loaded, bolstered by South Carolina commit Bella Bourque (junior shortstop) and UMass commit Aniyah Bailey (junior catcher).
—Tom Mulherin, Boston Herald, 4 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bolstered
Verb
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Two other assailants were wounded and captured during Tuesday’s shootout in the city's financial and business district, while two police officers sustained slight injuries, officials said.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
8 Apr. 2026
-
The Celtics, too, were expected to have a gap year of sorts given Jayson Tatum’s career-threatening Achilles injury sustained in the second round against the Knicks last season.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The patriotic ethos of Cold War–era public schools reinforced his sense of American ideals.—
Peter S. Canellos,
The Atlantic,
10 Apr. 2026
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When aligned with purpose and executed with thoughtfulness, the brand experience becomes a living ecosystem, constantly reinforced by meaningful interactions.—
Terri Liebler,
Rolling Stone,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Sandra Cazzola said the removal of the original crosswalk carried symbolic weight for the LGBTQ community.—
Ivan Taylor,
CBS News,
11 Apr. 2026
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But Kreider was able to direct a pass to Carlsson, who carried the puck into the Sharks’ zone, danced past winger Ty Dellandrea, and roofed a shot past Askarov.—
Curtis Pashelka,
Mercury News,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
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In February, a judge determined that the zoning board’s decision to grant the exceptions was legal and supported by the evidence, denying the neighbor’s petition for review.—
Chris Higgins,
Kansas City Star,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Congressman Eric Swalwell supported maintaining strong environmental standards while diversifying energy sources.—
Richard Ramos,
CBS News,
7 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
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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 13 Apr. 2026.
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