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
Further bolstering the country as a prime location is the new Olivewood Film Studios, located in Amman.
—
Ed Meza, Variety, 15 June 2026
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
Ed Meza, Variety, 15 June 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bolstering
Verb
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Investigators determined the victim was Edgar Carlos Garcia, then 39, of Mexico, who died after sustaining fatal injuries during an altercation that took place inside the warehouse.—
Reeti Malhotra,
Sacbee.com,
20 June 2026
-
After spending months helping immigrant families weather the economic fallout of federal immigration enforcement operations in the Twin Cities, Smitten Kitten is asking the community for help sustaining itself.—
Ray Campos,
CBS News,
19 June 2026
Verb
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For the first time on Shark Week, the full range of great white hunting tactics will be revealed, reinforcing their status as one of the ocean’s top predator.—
Denise Petski,
Deadline,
18 June 2026
-
Research from McKinsey & Company found that companies in the top quartile for ethnic diversity are 39% more likely to outperform financially than those in the bottom quartile, reinforcing the growing business case for inclusive leadership.—
Jack Hayes,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2026
Verb
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All proceeds to the sell-out show, which was simulcast on ESPN, benefited the Garden of Dreams Foundation, the MSG non-profit supporting children in need.—
Marlow Stern,
Variety,
20 June 2026
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Infantry attempting to move along the front, vehicle convoys transporting supplies, command posts coordinating operations, and artillery units supporting assaults are increasingly vulnerable to Ukrainian drone operators who can identify and strike targets with unprecedented speed and precision.—
Hunter LaCroix,
Baltimore Sun,
20 June 2026
Verb
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The targeting led the Russians to use an alternative route, according to the Ukrainian military, with a large number of trucks carrying military supplies sent further west.—
Gianluca Mezzofiore,
CNN Money,
20 June 2026
-
So my whole upbringing was hiding and carrying this huge weight and secret.—
Carly Thomas,
HollywoodReporter,
19 June 2026
Verb
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The Haitian Bridge Alliance, a rights group that advocates for Haitians immigrants, urged the Supreme Court to reject the government’s ask to end TPS and affirm lower court’s rulings upholding the protections.—
Syra Ortiz Blanes,
Miami Herald,
17 June 2026
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Almost every line feels like a dare to consider a deeper meaning than the mad realities of the gold rush and upholding a dying man’s wish.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
17 June 2026
Verb
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Johnson County’s annual Point In Time Count — a federal requirement that counts the number of people staying outside or in a shelter one night in January — shows that the number of individuals increased by 27% from last year, according to preliminary data.—
Taylor O'Connor,
Kansas City Star,
22 June 2026
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Drinking water with your evening meal and staying hydrated throughout the day helps fiber work properly and keeps stool soft.—
Morgan Pearson,
Verywell Health,
22 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bolstering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bolstering. Accessed 24 Jun. 2026.
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