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
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
After that was a long drive across the state of Alabama, bolstered by MoonPies, before our final leg in New Orleans.
—
Rachel Tepper Paley,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
1 July 2026
In Asia and Europe, tech shares were bolstered by bumper gains in the semiconductor space.
—
Chloe Taylor,
CNBC,
1 July 2026
Many crude laughs were bolstered by the attached contemplation.
—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
30 June 2026
Members of Congress on both sides of the aisle have bolstered efforts to fund lunar exploration by warning about competition with China.
—
Jackie Wattles,
CNN Money,
30 June 2026
The veteran center often bolstered the shooting in the Hawks’ second unit.
—
Lauren Williams,
AJC.com,
30 June 2026
The partnership ensures British enthusiasts a complete, confident ownership experience for these American sports cars, bolstered by Corvette's recent Le Mans GT3 victory.
—
Matthew MacConnell,
Forbes.com,
29 June 2026
Considering Florida’s forward depth, which was bolstered even before getting Hathaway when the Panthers acquired star Brady Tkachuk from the Ottawa Senators, Hathaway will almost assuredly be on the Panthers’ fourth line.
—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
29 June 2026
Almost definitely bolstered by warm, creamy salicylates.
—
Ariel Wodarcyk,
InStyle,
28 June 2026
Rachel Tepper Paley,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
1 July 2026
In Asia and Europe, tech shares were bolstered by bumper gains in the semiconductor space.
—
Chloe Taylor,
CNBC,
1 July 2026
Many crude laughs were bolstered by the attached contemplation.
—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
30 June 2026
Members of Congress on both sides of the aisle have bolstered efforts to fund lunar exploration by warning about competition with China.
—
Jackie Wattles,
CNN Money,
30 June 2026
The veteran center often bolstered the shooting in the Hawks’ second unit.
—
Lauren Williams,
AJC.com,
30 June 2026
The partnership ensures British enthusiasts a complete, confident ownership experience for these American sports cars, bolstered by Corvette's recent Le Mans GT3 victory.
—
Matthew MacConnell,
Forbes.com,
29 June 2026
Considering Florida’s forward depth, which was bolstered even before getting Hathaway when the Panthers acquired star Brady Tkachuk from the Ottawa Senators, Hathaway will almost assuredly be on the Panthers’ fourth line.
—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
29 June 2026
Almost definitely bolstered by warm, creamy salicylates.
—
Ariel Wodarcyk,
InStyle,
28 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bolstered
Verb
-
Brun’s niece sustained injuries during the shooting that were not life-threatening — a scratch on her belly, said Brun.
-
The Department of Licenses and Inspections responded to the scene and condemned the house, which sustained considerable damage.
Verb
-
Looking back, McCloskey said the yearslong legal battle reinforced the value of perseverance.
-
If anything, Messi’s early absence reinforced why Argentina will enter the knockout stage as one of the favorites to win the tournament.
Verb
-
Fujimori’s presidency marks a return of her family’s political brand to Peru’s highest office — a movement that has long carried a complicated relationship with the United States.
-
Since relocating to Los Angeles, Gonzalez’s small downtown team has scaled Happy Organics into a design-forward brand carried by major retailers, anchored in local maker communities and a sense of purpose.
Verb
-
On Monday, June 22, Kelce's pop star fiancée Taylor Swift supported him for the second year in a row at the kickoff for the event.
-
The idea was supported by NASA’s top boss, Jared Isaacman, setting the tone for what could come in the near future.
Verb
-
In February 2025, a state appeals court upheld the jury’s verdict, ruling that Missouri’s laws requiring companies to warn of dangers are not preempted by federal law.
-
This week, the court ruled by a 5-4 vote against the Republican National Committee and upheld state laws that allow for counting late-arriving mail ballots.
Cite this Entry
“Bolstered.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bolstered. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
