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
Under head coach Mark Pope, the Wildcats bring back key guards like Otega Oweh and Denzel Aberdeen, while bolstering the roster with blue-chip transfers and freshman talent, including Jaland Lowe and Kam Williams.
—
Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2025
General manager Mike Hazen blamed himself for not bolstering the club’s depth in 2025, which contributed to a disappointing fourth-place finish.
—Stephen J. Nesbitt, New York Times, 3 Nov. 2025
The Charter battle, which resulted in a 10-day blackout and ultimately a game-changing agreement dropping some linear network carriage but bolstering Disney+ and Hulu, got the entire industry’s attention.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 31 Oct. 2025
And what may have been intended by the Kremlin as a way of bolstering its arguments over Ukraine, has possibly plunged us all into new, dangerous and unpredictable era.
—Matthew Chance, CNN Money, 30 Oct. 2025
In hopes of bolstering George’s chances and briefly escaping the stuffy confines of married life, Hedda decides to throw a shindig announcing the couple’s return from their honeymoon.
—Abby Monteil, Them., 28 Oct. 2025
Sliwa, the Republican nominee and founder of the Guardian Angels, has campaigned on bolstering public safety and reducing bureaucracy.
—Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 28 Oct. 2025
Later that year, Crunchyroll’s parent company Sony took things even more seriously by acquiring Alamo Drafthouse in what looked to some like a good way of bolstering its anime business by acquiring a company known for its nerdy and passionate clientele.
—Brian Welk, IndieWire, 28 Oct. 2025
According to the outlet, the parties plan to set up a working group to carry out the plan, which will involve joint investment into the building and bolstering of shipyards to give Japanese and American shipbuilders a competitive edge.
—Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 27 Oct. 2025
Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2025
General manager Mike Hazen blamed himself for not bolstering the club’s depth in 2025, which contributed to a disappointing fourth-place finish.
—Stephen J. Nesbitt, New York Times, 3 Nov. 2025
The Charter battle, which resulted in a 10-day blackout and ultimately a game-changing agreement dropping some linear network carriage but bolstering Disney+ and Hulu, got the entire industry’s attention.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 31 Oct. 2025
And what may have been intended by the Kremlin as a way of bolstering its arguments over Ukraine, has possibly plunged us all into new, dangerous and unpredictable era.
—Matthew Chance, CNN Money, 30 Oct. 2025
In hopes of bolstering George’s chances and briefly escaping the stuffy confines of married life, Hedda decides to throw a shindig announcing the couple’s return from their honeymoon.
—Abby Monteil, Them., 28 Oct. 2025
Sliwa, the Republican nominee and founder of the Guardian Angels, has campaigned on bolstering public safety and reducing bureaucracy.
—Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 28 Oct. 2025
Later that year, Crunchyroll’s parent company Sony took things even more seriously by acquiring Alamo Drafthouse in what looked to some like a good way of bolstering its anime business by acquiring a company known for its nerdy and passionate clientele.
—Brian Welk, IndieWire, 28 Oct. 2025
According to the outlet, the parties plan to set up a working group to carry out the plan, which will involve joint investment into the building and bolstering of shipyards to give Japanese and American shipbuilders a competitive edge.
—Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 27 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bolstering
Verb
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But that hope depends on sustaining the cease-fire, facilitating the immediate entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza at levels sufficient to match the enormous needs, and urgently restarting critical services, including education.—
Catherine Russell,
Time,
3 Nov. 2025
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Isiah Pacheco won’t play Sunday after sustaining an injury late in last week’s win against Washington.—
Blair Kerkhoff,
Kansas City Star,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
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His campaign has drawn high-profile endorsements from Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Senator Bernie Sanders, reinforcing his status as the left’s standard-bearer in the race.—
Martha McHardy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Oct. 2025
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The images are complemented by a throwback-style video recorded with early 2000s camcorder technology, reinforcing Re/Done’s typical affinity for vintage visuals.—
Renan Botelho,
Footwear News,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Fix the City, the PAC supporting Cuomo’s bid since the primary, spent millions on television ads for the former mayor and against Mamdani.—
Rebecca Schneid,
Time,
5 Nov. 2025
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Pet Loss At Home, an organization of mobile veterinarians providing end-of-life care in the comfort of home, suggested that people supporting a grieving friend can send memorial gifts and flowers, or print photos of the pet to send along with a personalized card.—
Liz O'Connell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
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China last tested its ICBM force in September 2024—its first since the 1980s—when a DF-31AG missile carrying a dummy warhead was fired toward international waters in the South Pacific, within the region's nuclear-free zone, according to a Newsweek map.—
Ryan Chan,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
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The Falcon 9's upper stage, meanwhile, continued carrying the 29 Starlink satellites toward LEO, where were deployed on schedule about an hour into flight.—
Josh Dinner,
Space.com,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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By upholding his virtue and revealing the emptiness of evil, Ignatius Maloyan earned sainthood, joining the enduring Communion of witnesses.—
Jenni Fink,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Oct. 2025
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These convictions demonstrate the professionalism and dedication of Yosemite’s protection team in upholding federal regulations and ensuring the safety of both visitors and first responders.—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
28 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The sale includes statement shoes like pink lace-up boots plus cozy designs perfect for staying warm all winter like insulated boat shoes, water-resistant boots, and even waterproof boots for rainy days.—
Caley Sturgill,
Southern Living,
6 Nov. 2025
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For events with formalities, like speeches, cake-cutting, or a holiday toast, Hayes advises staying until those key moments are complete.—
Elizabeth Fogarty,
Better Homes & Gardens,
6 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bolstering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bolstering. Accessed 8 Nov. 2025.
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