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
Free cash flow is expected to remain strong, bolstering shareholder returns and balance sheet flexibility.
—
Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026
But that may be changing, bolstering BYD’s expansion plans.
—Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 22 Jan. 2026
Notably, China is bolstering its water infrastructure.
—Tasmin Lockwood, CNBC, 20 Jan. 2026
Gorman earned the deep respect of Wall Street during his tenure at Morgan Stanley, which included deftly steering the investment firm out of the Great Recession and bolstering its businesses and workplace culture.
—Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 20 Jan. 2026
Besides providing some inflationary adjustments, legislators hope to further expand investments in education aid, affordable child care and housing while bolstering understaffed state agencies.
—Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 19 Jan. 2026
The Capricorn New Moon emboldens your ambition zone, steering bold ideas into tangible moves and bolstering your words with crisp authority.
—Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 18 Jan. 2026
Getty Images—2026 Getty Images At the same time, Denmark has been busily bolstering its military presence in Greenland.
—Lisa Abend, Time, 18 Jan. 2026
Republican and Democratic lawmakers alike see an obvious path to bolstering American interests in Greenland while keeping the relationship with NATO-ally Denmark intact.
—Stephen Groves, Denver Post, 18 Jan. 2026
Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026
But that may be changing, bolstering BYD’s expansion plans.
—Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 22 Jan. 2026
Notably, China is bolstering its water infrastructure.
—Tasmin Lockwood, CNBC, 20 Jan. 2026
Gorman earned the deep respect of Wall Street during his tenure at Morgan Stanley, which included deftly steering the investment firm out of the Great Recession and bolstering its businesses and workplace culture.
—Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 20 Jan. 2026
Besides providing some inflationary adjustments, legislators hope to further expand investments in education aid, affordable child care and housing while bolstering understaffed state agencies.
—Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 19 Jan. 2026
The Capricorn New Moon emboldens your ambition zone, steering bold ideas into tangible moves and bolstering your words with crisp authority.
—Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 18 Jan. 2026
Getty Images—2026 Getty Images At the same time, Denmark has been busily bolstering its military presence in Greenland.
—Lisa Abend, Time, 18 Jan. 2026
Republican and Democratic lawmakers alike see an obvious path to bolstering American interests in Greenland while keeping the relationship with NATO-ally Denmark intact.
—Stephen Groves, Denver Post, 18 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bolstering
Verb
-
And for Hoka, sustaining double-digit percent growth over the medium term will depend on expansion into lifestyle.—
Vicki M. Young,
Footwear News,
30 Jan. 2026
-
However, filmmakers, producers, distributors, sales agents, publicists, critics, sponsors, and former Sundance staff — many of whom credit the festival with launching or sustaining their careers — spoke on background or off the record.—
Chris O'Falt,
IndieWire,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
As Morrison pointed out, representations and practices can be mutually reinforcing.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
30 Jan. 2026
-
By Saturday, a reinforcing shot of arctic air will sweep across Texas from northeast to southwest.—
Mary Wasson,
Austin American Statesman,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The chair of the Federal Reserve is tasked with combating inflation in the United States while also supporting maximum employment.—
Christopher Rugaber,
Fortune,
31 Jan. 2026
-
Irving was caught when the State Police got a tip on May 29, 2025, from the smartphone messaging company Kik, which reported that three files shared on its platform appeared to be child pornography, according to a law enforcement affidavit supporting the charge.—
Flint McColgan,
Boston Herald,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The stars are going to be carrying the Olympic torches.—
Ben Smith,
semafor.com,
31 Jan. 2026
-
The small plane was carrying two crew members and 13 passengers, including Diógenes Quintero, 36, a member of the House of Representatives for Catatumbo, the airline said.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
In upholding Sjostrom’s ruling on the non-resident petition gatherers issue, the appeals court offered similar reasoning as in its decision about the inactive-voters issue.—
Jim Saunders,
Sun Sentinel,
26 Jan. 2026
-
Since 1972, the Kerrville Folk Festival has been upholding the spirit of grassroots Texas music camaraderie.—
Mars Salazar,
Austin American Statesman,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
During an interview with Fox News Digital at AARP's annual Movies for Grownups Awards in Beverly Hills, the 74-year-old actress reflected on aging and shared her secret to staying confident decade after decade.—
Ashley Hume , Larry Fink,
FOXNews.com,
1 Feb. 2026
-
After all, staying fully charged feels like a premium perk without the premium price tag.—
Chaise Sanders,
Travel + Leisure,
1 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bolstering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bolstering. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.
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