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
Adidas is bolstering its relationship with Nordstrom with the launch of a national retail partnership celebrating the FIFA World Cup 2026, the world’s largest sporting event and the first to be hosted in North America since 1994.
—
Stephen Garner, Footwear News, 4 June 2026
Beijing, Iran’s largest trading partner and the main buyer of Iranian oil, has backed Pakistan, too, bolstering the country’s credibility even further.
—Sudarsan Raghavan, New Yorker, 3 June 2026
Hilton's platform focuses on increasing affordable housing supply for first-time homebuyers, bolstering tech industries and reviving California's film industry.
—Saige Miller, NPR, 2 June 2026
Peterson’s appointment comes at a pivotal time for Minneapolis, the mayor noted, with the city in the middle of major public safety reforms, while bolstering staffing levels, working to reduce violent crime and building trust with the residents.
—Kristi Miller, Twin Cities, 2 June 2026
In Mexico City, where the tournament opens on June 11, officials are bolstering security as part of a coordinated multinational effort.
—Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 1 June 2026
The Eagles spent the offseason bolstering the passing game with a post-Brown offense in mind.
—Chad Graff, New York Times, 1 June 2026
Now, the brand is bolstering the effects of its resurfacing treatments with these pads, which can be used at-home to further improve texture.
—Jackie Fields, PEOPLE, 1 June 2026
The Cook Political Report rated the race as a toss-up, noting that Democrats have little room for error despite bolstering a candidate capable of garnering bipartisan support.
—Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 31 May 2026
Stephen Garner, Footwear News, 4 June 2026
Beijing, Iran’s largest trading partner and the main buyer of Iranian oil, has backed Pakistan, too, bolstering the country’s credibility even further.
—Sudarsan Raghavan, New Yorker, 3 June 2026
Hilton's platform focuses on increasing affordable housing supply for first-time homebuyers, bolstering tech industries and reviving California's film industry.
—Saige Miller, NPR, 2 June 2026
Peterson’s appointment comes at a pivotal time for Minneapolis, the mayor noted, with the city in the middle of major public safety reforms, while bolstering staffing levels, working to reduce violent crime and building trust with the residents.
—Kristi Miller, Twin Cities, 2 June 2026
In Mexico City, where the tournament opens on June 11, officials are bolstering security as part of a coordinated multinational effort.
—Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 1 June 2026
The Eagles spent the offseason bolstering the passing game with a post-Brown offense in mind.
—Chad Graff, New York Times, 1 June 2026
Now, the brand is bolstering the effects of its resurfacing treatments with these pads, which can be used at-home to further improve texture.
—Jackie Fields, PEOPLE, 1 June 2026
The Cook Political Report rated the race as a toss-up, noting that Democrats have little room for error despite bolstering a candidate capable of garnering bipartisan support.
—Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 31 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bolstering
Verb
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Despite sustaining significant injuries, police said the couple was able to transport themselves to a local hospital.—
Thao Nguyen,
USA Today,
10 June 2026
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These graveyards form when whale carcasses fall to the sea floor, becoming a sustaining snack for nearby critters.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
10 June 2026
Verb
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Noting that Friday marked the Nasdaq Composite's steepest single-day drop since April 2025, Citi's analysts pointed to the hotter-than-expected labor market figures reinforcing expectations of potential Fed hikes later this year.—
Chloe Taylor,
CNBC,
9 June 2026
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Inspect fences and perform any repairs or maintenance, such as reinforcing posts or replacing rotted sections.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
8 June 2026
Verb
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Your 10th House of Career gains shine as beauty-loving Venus arrives, supporting confident polish and the power of understated presence.—
Tarot.com,
The Orlando Sentinel,
13 June 2026
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State initiatives aimed at supporting fusion research and commercialization have encouraged investment and collaboration, helping establish an ecosystem designed to accelerate technological breakthroughs.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
13 June 2026
Verb
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Papal aircraft have had technical problems in the past, but for a plane carrying the pope to be unable to take off is unheard of.—
Christopher Lamb,
CNN Money,
13 June 2026
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Long before kickoff between Mexico and South Africa, fans lined up outside the venue carrying flags, wearing jerseys and bringing noisemakers from home.—
J.M. Banks
June 12,
Kansas City Star,
12 June 2026
Verb
-
There are no majorities for anything, least of all for upholding the rights of the freed slaves in the South.—
David Frum,
The Atlantic,
10 June 2026
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The murders of Jimmy Ellis and Elaine Thompson On December 12, 1998, a 21-year-old Lee walked into Jimmy’s Pawn Shop in Orville, Alabama, according to a 2013 federal appeals ruling upholding his conviction and sentence.—
Nina Giraldo,
CNN Money,
9 June 2026
Verb
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The goal is to keep muscles working continuously while the machine adjusts resistance and movement by staying within the lines of the digital graph above you.—
Derek James,
CBS News,
8 June 2026
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Lena, working for Kate, is staying at a villa belonging to a senior member of Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service, masquerading as his son’s nanny.—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
8 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bolstering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bolstering. Accessed 15 Jun. 2026.
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