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
Weinstein’s attorneys have denied that encounter ever took place, and have argued that the trial judge improperly withheld evidence that would have bolstered his alibi.
—
Gene Maddaus, Variety, 15 May 2026
The Supreme Court on Friday rejected an effort by Democratic lawmakers in Virginia to revive redrawn congressional maps that could have bolstered their party.
—Justin Jouvenal, Washington Post, 15 May 2026
His effort to fight off a leadership challenge was bolstered Thursday morning by a rare bit of positive economic news.
—Danica Kirka, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2026
Both of them suggest the guitarist Loren Connors leading the early roars of Earth, his intuitive way of navigating the instrument’s neck bolstered by a formidable wall of hum at his back.
—Grayson Haver Currin, Pitchfork, 14 May 2026
Meanwhile, Cerebras has bolstered its market position further ahead of its IPO with a handful of high-profile deals.
—Richard Nieva, Forbes.com, 14 May 2026
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
Senior Oliver O’Donnell said club experiences bolstered his confidence and public speaking skills.
—Sacbee.com, 8 May 2026
Gene Maddaus, Variety, 15 May 2026
The Supreme Court on Friday rejected an effort by Democratic lawmakers in Virginia to revive redrawn congressional maps that could have bolstered their party.
—Justin Jouvenal, Washington Post, 15 May 2026
His effort to fight off a leadership challenge was bolstered Thursday morning by a rare bit of positive economic news.
—Danica Kirka, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2026
Both of them suggest the guitarist Loren Connors leading the early roars of Earth, his intuitive way of navigating the instrument’s neck bolstered by a formidable wall of hum at his back.
—Grayson Haver Currin, Pitchfork, 14 May 2026
Meanwhile, Cerebras has bolstered its market position further ahead of its IPO with a handful of high-profile deals.
—Richard Nieva, Forbes.com, 14 May 2026
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
Senior Oliver O’Donnell said club experiences bolstered his confidence and public speaking skills.
—Sacbee.com, 8 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
-
Worldwide shipping disruptions during the COVID-19 pandemic reinforced the importance of having a local food supply in Hawaii, and the state in recent years has offered additional support to the farms.—
Jennifer Sinco Kelleher,
Los Angeles Times,
17 May 2026
-
Robust spending and strong demand for AI infrastructure have reinforced analysts’ confidence in several stocks.—
TipRanks.com Staff,
CNBC,
17 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
-
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
-
Councilmember George Fuller said information about data centers remains unclear and supported city officials seeking to develop standards for such uses.—
Hema Sivanandam,
Mercury News,
19 May 2026
-
Richard is implied to be Hutu, though his family are never suggested to have participated in or supported the massacres.—
Josh Slater-Williams,
IndieWire,
19 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 21 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
