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
These experiments successfully duplicated the same geometry and abrasion observed in the ancient tooth, bolstering the researchers' conclusions.
—
Ari Daniel, NPR, 13 May 2026
More than 300 new ICE officers and staff were being deployed to more than 40 states and Puerto Rico with the goal of bolstering immigration enforcement throughout the country, USA TODAY reported on May 8.
—Finch Walker, USA Today, 13 May 2026
Buffalo spent the offseason bolstering its offensive and defensive units in hopes of making a championship run.
—Amos Morale Iii, New York Times, 12 May 2026
The findings underscore how hackers are using available AI tools like OpenClaw to exploit software flaws in ways that can be particularly damaging to companies, government agencies and other organizations even as cybersecurity firms pump billions of dollars into bolstering their defenses.
—Samantha Subin, CNBC, 11 May 2026
Average weekly hours worked also increased, bolstering take-home pay.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 8 May 2026
The law should go into effect this month, helping to fulfill President Emmanuel Macron’s 2017 promise of returning African heritage to the continent, with the hope of bolstering diplomatic relations with France’s former colonies.
—Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 8 May 2026
That engine produces around 400 hp at the crank, bolstering a top speed of 187 mph (~300 km/h).
—New Atlas, 8 May 2026
The government has thrown a lot of money at bolstering security for the Jewish population.
—Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 7 May 2026
Ari Daniel, NPR, 13 May 2026
More than 300 new ICE officers and staff were being deployed to more than 40 states and Puerto Rico with the goal of bolstering immigration enforcement throughout the country, USA TODAY reported on May 8.
—Finch Walker, USA Today, 13 May 2026
Buffalo spent the offseason bolstering its offensive and defensive units in hopes of making a championship run.
—Amos Morale Iii, New York Times, 12 May 2026
The findings underscore how hackers are using available AI tools like OpenClaw to exploit software flaws in ways that can be particularly damaging to companies, government agencies and other organizations even as cybersecurity firms pump billions of dollars into bolstering their defenses.
—Samantha Subin, CNBC, 11 May 2026
Average weekly hours worked also increased, bolstering take-home pay.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 8 May 2026
The law should go into effect this month, helping to fulfill President Emmanuel Macron’s 2017 promise of returning African heritage to the continent, with the hope of bolstering diplomatic relations with France’s former colonies.
—Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 8 May 2026
That engine produces around 400 hp at the crank, bolstering a top speed of 187 mph (~300 km/h).
—New Atlas, 8 May 2026
The government has thrown a lot of money at bolstering security for the Jewish population.
—Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 7 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bolstering
Verb
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The book explores codependency, mental health and the realities of sustaining love under pressure.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
15 May 2026
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The court was told that Paul and her 10-month-old son were in one of the seven cars involved in the collision, resulting in the baby sustaining a broken leg, per Toronto Sun and CBC.—
Gabrielle Rockson,
PEOPLE,
15 May 2026
Verb
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In addiction treatment, encouraging emotional attachment to an algorithm risks reinforcing the very patterns of avoidance and substitution that sustain addiction.—
Steve D. Klein,
STAT,
14 May 2026
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Measures seen as defensive in Tokyo or Manila are invariably interpreted in Beijing as offensive—reinforcing, rather than easing, cycles of suspicion.—
Yu Jie,
Time,
13 May 2026
Verb
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Expanding access to high-quality early education, supporting the workforce behind it, and giving families clearer information is all part of the solution.—
Tina Dello Russo,
Boston Herald,
10 May 2026
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In general, Korean skin care is often formulated with lower-irritation potential and barrier-supporting ingredients, which can be helpful if your skin concerns include dull skin or working toward a more even skin tone—especially for those with sensitive skin.—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
9 May 2026
Verb
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The outbreak aboard the MV Hondius began after a Dutch cruise ship carrying 147 passengers and crew departed Argentina on April 1 for a South Atlantic voyage.—
Brittany Miller,
FOXNews.com,
16 May 2026
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For instance, that giant water bottle is not something any European is carrying around.—
Kristy Alpert,
Travel + Leisure,
16 May 2026
Verb
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Schmon praises Cannes for upholding artistic excellence and the gains made so far by the fest’s programmers, but would like to see the festival engage more with organizations like hers.—
Mia Galuppo,
HollywoodReporter,
14 May 2026
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Standing up to British tyranny was not breaking the law, but upholding it.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
13 May 2026
Verb
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Amid high expectations and long win streaks, Moss said a sports psychologist has spoken to the team about staying present and not letting the success get into their heads.—
Jordan Puente,
Los Angeles Times,
11 May 2026
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Tate was staying at the home while her husband, filmmaker Roman Polanski, was abroad.—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
11 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bolstering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bolstering. Accessed 16 May. 2026.
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