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
Furthermore, the capital will enable Swap to enter new target geographies, equally bolstering its payments capabilities.
—
Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 7 Jan. 2026
In the past some years, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Oman have also been bolstering their mediation efforts and seeking more prominent roles in helping reduce conflicts.
—Galip Dalay, Time, 6 Jan. 2026
Grady Bianculli, Jack Gresham and Damon MacKinnon each lit the lamp twice in a scoring marathon, bolstering King Philip in a 14-2 win over Foxboro.
—Tom Mulherin, Boston Herald, 4 Jan. 2026
The focus has been primarily on bolstering the defense.
—Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 2 Jan. 2026
Yes, some of the attacking intent was stripped from recent games, but that was necessary in bolstering their impenetrable deep block at the home of the defending champions.
—Beren Cross, New York Times, 2 Jan. 2026
While Beijing is bolstering production networks and investing in infrastructure in countries in Southeast Asia, Washington is penalizing those countries with punitive tariffs.
—Lael Brainard, Foreign Affairs, 10 Nov. 2025
China has undertaken a massive expansion of sites linked to missile production since 2020, bolstering its ability to potentially deter the US military and assert its dominance in the region, a new CNN analysis of satellite images, maps and government notices reveals.
—Tamara Qiblawi, CNN Money, 7 Nov. 2025
In addition to bolstering their staff of hitting coaches, the Royals are seeking another assistant pitching coach this offseason.
—Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 7 Nov. 2025
Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 7 Jan. 2026
In the past some years, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Oman have also been bolstering their mediation efforts and seeking more prominent roles in helping reduce conflicts.
—Galip Dalay, Time, 6 Jan. 2026
Grady Bianculli, Jack Gresham and Damon MacKinnon each lit the lamp twice in a scoring marathon, bolstering King Philip in a 14-2 win over Foxboro.
—Tom Mulherin, Boston Herald, 4 Jan. 2026
The focus has been primarily on bolstering the defense.
—Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 2 Jan. 2026
Yes, some of the attacking intent was stripped from recent games, but that was necessary in bolstering their impenetrable deep block at the home of the defending champions.
—Beren Cross, New York Times, 2 Jan. 2026
While Beijing is bolstering production networks and investing in infrastructure in countries in Southeast Asia, Washington is penalizing those countries with punitive tariffs.
—Lael Brainard, Foreign Affairs, 10 Nov. 2025
China has undertaken a massive expansion of sites linked to missile production since 2020, bolstering its ability to potentially deter the US military and assert its dominance in the region, a new CNN analysis of satellite images, maps and government notices reveals.
—Tamara Qiblawi, CNN Money, 7 Nov. 2025
In addition to bolstering their staff of hitting coaches, the Royals are seeking another assistant pitching coach this offseason.
—Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 7 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bolstering
Verb
-
Western governments have imposed sanctions on her in the past for her part in sustaining Maduro’s administration.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
6 Jan. 2026
-
Puig first tore the ACL in his left knee in the Western Conference final in 2024, assisting on the game’s only goal after sustaining the injury.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
From that vantage point, the economy appears to move past each disruption in turn, reinforcing the idea that these are temporary events.—
Gene Ludwig,
Fortune,
11 Jan. 2026
-
The projects are expected to provide thousands of construction jobs and hundreds of long-term operational jobs while reinforcing the American nuclear supply chain.—
Aman Tripathi,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
If your money wasn’t involved in supporting the Dallas Cowboys show, all of it may be funny, instead of just flat, sad, and a bad joke.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
8 Jan. 2026
-
The companies said the robotaxi is designed to deliver a premium passenger experience while supporting large-scale autonomous deployment.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Putin is yet to comment on the developments related to the tanker, which the US had previously sanctioned for carrying illicit Iranian oil.—
Kosta Gak,
CNN Money,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Russia attacks Ukraine with new Oreshnik ballistic missile Russia attacked Ukraine overnight with a new hypersonic ballistic missile, an advanced weapon capable of carrying a nuclear warhead.—
Kayla Hayempour,
NBC news,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
With the global order in flux and the great powers pursuing geopolitical and normative revisionism, there has been much discussion about the role small and middle powers can play in upholding international law and multilateralism.—
Galip Dalay,
Time,
6 Jan. 2026
-
But upholding the rule of law also means making sure there are consequences for those who undermine it.—
Mary Ellen Klas,
Twin Cities,
31 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
The town of Wellington is where many men who are unhoused in Fort Collins are staying their nights of late.—
Dillon Thomas,
CBS News,
10 Jan. 2026
-
For me, that translates to modernizing with intention and staying committed to a growth mindset by continuously learning, taking on new challenges, and surrounding myself with people who elevate my thinking.—
Diane Brady,
Fortune,
9 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bolstering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bolstering. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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