bolstering

present participle of bolster
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

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 bolstering The party recently named New Mexico as one of the earliest states for its next presidential primary, bolstering its prominence in national politics and ensuring more visits from White House hopefuls. — Arkansas Online, 23 Oct. 2026 After bolstering the management of its fashion business, Kering is shaking up its creative director ranks, with the departure of Anthony Vaccarello at Saint Laurent and Seán McGirr at Alexander McQueen. — Joelle Diderich, Footwear News, 22 Oct. 2026 Democrats are bolstering their lead among independent likely voters, who support Democratic candidates by a 21-point margin, 56% to 35%. — ABC News, 18 Oct. 2026 Black, a district alumnus, is running on a platform of bolstering the district’s college and career readiness programs and boosting teacher retention. — Sophia Veneziano, San Antonio Express-News, 16 Oct. 2026 Rather than bolstering support for traditional hunting practices, the constitutional amendment could make sportsmen and women pariahs in the public’s eye and invite further ballot initiatives. — Andrew McKean, Outdoor Life, 15 Oct. 2026 Walton stressed the importance of bolstering the maternal health workforce with more midwives and doulas. — Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 13 Oct. 2026 El-Amin and Greta Callagan proposed the official pause on the transformation plan, which includes a focus instead on bolstering enrollment. — Wcco Staff, CBS News, 13 Oct. 2026 That includes bolstering blue collar work in manufacturing, natural resources, and supporting small businesses. — Saige Miller, NPR, 11 Oct. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bolstering
Verb
  • Dieffenbach made the big play after sustaining an apparent leg injury on a hard hit late in the first half.
    — Connor Dullinger, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Rutgers starting quarterback Dylan Lonergan left after sustaining a blow to the head 6 minutes, 25 seconds into the first quarter and didn’t return.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • The event highlights Greece’s efforts to enhance its maritime strike capabilities while reinforcing its strategic partnership with Israel amid an increasingly complex security environment in the Eastern Mediterranean.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 25 Oct. 2026
  • The proposal came days after Kim Jong Un's powerful sister visited front-line areas where North Korean troops are reinforcing the border.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 24 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • With roaring support from a packed crowd, Macklemore launched his Free Palestine Tour in Ireland’s capital Monday, just over a month after he was controversially dropped as Ed Sheeran’s supporting act.
    — Chantal Da Silva, NBC news, 27 Oct. 2026
  • Attorneys general from 39 states and the District of Columbia have filed an amicus brief supporting New Jersey’s case against Kalshi.
    — Josh Appel, Washington Post, 26 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Protesters, many of whom have been seen carrying Palestinian flags, have set fire to historic buildings and attacked civilians.
    — Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Mitchell Fairbarn was captured on surveillance video carrying the 27-year-old Chilean flamingo, Peachy, to his room after removing the bird from its enclosure at the Flamingo Las Vegas Hotel and Casino in March.
    — Victoria Bisset, Washington Post, 20 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Courts, however, have ruled otherwise, upholding both Sullivans’ spots on the ballot.
    — Michael Kunzelman, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2026
  • By contrast, the CJP considers peaceful protest, along with upholding the country’s constitution, essential elements of democracy.
    — Amrita Basu, The Conversation, 22 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • One of those areas was close to the Riverview RV Park, where Stark and the Trotter family were staying.
    — Abe Streep, ProPublica, 21 Oct. 2026
  • This means staying indoors, closing windows and doors and turning off ventilation.
    — Karma Sabbah, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Bolstering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bolstering. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster