1
as in sustaining
to hold up or serve as a foundation for
used additional beams to bolster the ceiling
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in reinforcing
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 bolstering
The hike came as the company made moves to invest more heavily in live events, video podcasts and other novel content types, in addition to bolstering its existing TV and movie offerings.
—
Liz Napolitano, CNBC, 6 Apr. 2026
The tariffs assessed to larger drug companies will take effect July 31 unless companies commit to price concessions and bolstering domestic manufacturing.
—Ken Alltucker, USA Today, 5 Apr. 2026
The union was also focused on bolstering guardrails around the use of generative AI, specifically by regulating the training of AI tools on members’ scripts or the licensing of scripts to train those tools.
—Hilary Lewis, HollywoodReporter, 4 Apr. 2026
The National Women’s Soccer League is bolstering its executive ranks with two key hires as the league continues its rapid growth.
—Kennedy French, Variety, 1 Apr. 2026
The government in Budapest alleged money laundering—a charge bolstering its claims that Ukrainians are engaged in funny business beyond their borders.
—Isaac Stanley-Becker, The Atlantic, 31 Mar. 2026
Supporters of the former governor argued Sliwa did not have a chance of winning and only divided the anti-Mamdani coalition, bolstering Mamdani’s chances.
—Andrew Stanton, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026
Democratic Senators Jeanne Shaheen (New Hampshire) and Jacky Rosen (Nevada) and Republican Senators John Curtis (Utah) and Thom Tillis (North Carolina) on Monday met with Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te at the start of a two-day trip focused on bolstering the two sides’ informal ties.
—ABC News, 30 Mar. 2026
Overall, the song retains Farley’s rustic, unpolished sense of connection, while bolstering it with a more full-bodied sound.
—Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 30 Mar. 2026
Liz Napolitano, CNBC, 6 Apr. 2026
The tariffs assessed to larger drug companies will take effect July 31 unless companies commit to price concessions and bolstering domestic manufacturing.
—Ken Alltucker, USA Today, 5 Apr. 2026
The union was also focused on bolstering guardrails around the use of generative AI, specifically by regulating the training of AI tools on members’ scripts or the licensing of scripts to train those tools.
—Hilary Lewis, HollywoodReporter, 4 Apr. 2026
The National Women’s Soccer League is bolstering its executive ranks with two key hires as the league continues its rapid growth.
—Kennedy French, Variety, 1 Apr. 2026
The government in Budapest alleged money laundering—a charge bolstering its claims that Ukrainians are engaged in funny business beyond their borders.
—Isaac Stanley-Becker, The Atlantic, 31 Mar. 2026
Supporters of the former governor argued Sliwa did not have a chance of winning and only divided the anti-Mamdani coalition, bolstering Mamdani’s chances.
—Andrew Stanton, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026
Democratic Senators Jeanne Shaheen (New Hampshire) and Jacky Rosen (Nevada) and Republican Senators John Curtis (Utah) and Thom Tillis (North Carolina) on Monday met with Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te at the start of a two-day trip focused on bolstering the two sides’ informal ties.
—ABC News, 30 Mar. 2026
Overall, the song retains Farley’s rustic, unpolished sense of connection, while bolstering it with a more full-bodied sound.
—Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 30 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bolstering
Verb
-
The study concluded with some recommendations, such as sustaining and expanding programs that work, engaging with with people who have experienced homelessness, identifying funding and supporting neighborhood safety and cleanliness.—
Nollyanne Delacruz,
Mercury News,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Earlier this month, Varsity founder Jeff Webb died after sustaining a head injury while playing pickleball.—
Daniel Libit,
Sportico.com,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
In addition to reinforcing the fiduciary standards that are already in place for community associations, this will help to establish stronger grounds for claims involving unilateral acts by directors, inadequate reserve planning, inconsistent rules enforcement, or failures in management oversight.—
Evonne Andris,
Miami Herald,
9 Apr. 2026
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In 2025, the region attracted $92 billion in venture capital and generated more than 23,000 patents, reinforcing its central role in emerging technologies, according to the Index.—
George Avalos,
Mercury News,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
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All of the proceeds raised from the event went to supporting Altman's family.—
Victor Jacobo,
CBS News,
12 Apr. 2026
-
By his third hosting gig in 2014, he was joined onstage during his monologue by Leonardo DiCaprio, his co-star in the searing satire The Wolf of Wall Street, a Martin Scorsese picture that netted Hill his second Oscar nomination for best supporting actor after Moneyball just three years earlier.—
Josh Spiegel,
HollywoodReporter,
11 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
This current mission marks the first time the capsule is carrying a crew whose lives are on the line.—
Elizabeth Robinson,
NBC news,
10 Apr. 2026
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Come Friday, April 10, the Orion vehicle carrying the astronauts will zoom back into Earth's atmosphere before deploying parachutes to make a water landing in the Pacific Ocean near California.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Willy laments to his stout and thankless wife, Linda (Laurie Metcalf, upholding her reputation as a Broadway MVP), that buyers on the road laugh at him — that one even called him a shrimp.—
Naveen Kumar,
Variety,
10 Apr. 2026
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This past December, a judge overturned Jordan’s conviction and acquitted him, while upholding the verdict against Washington.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
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While the situation may feel serious, Lipsher stressed that preparation is about staying ahead of the problem, not panicking.—
Spencer Wilson,
CBS News,
13 Apr. 2026
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But the mystery of where Fergie had been staying since she and her ex were evicted from their home continued.—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
12 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bolstering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bolstering. Accessed 13 Apr. 2026.
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