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
The National Women’s Soccer League is bolstering its executive ranks with two key hires as the league continues its rapid growth.
—
Kennedy French, Variety, 1 Apr. 2026
The government in Budapest alleged money laundering—a charge bolstering its claims that Ukrainians are engaged in funny business beyond their borders.
—Isaac Stanley-Becker, The Atlantic, 31 Mar. 2026
Supporters of the former governor argued Sliwa did not have a chance of winning and only divided the anti-Mamdani coalition, bolstering Mamdani’s chances.
—Andrew Stanton, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026
Democratic Senators Jeanne Shaheen (New Hampshire) and Jacky Rosen (Nevada) and Republican Senators John Curtis (Utah) and Thom Tillis (North Carolina) on Monday met with Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te at the start of a two-day trip focused on bolstering the two sides’ informal ties.
—ABC News, 30 Mar. 2026
Overall, the song retains Farley’s rustic, unpolished sense of connection, while bolstering it with a more full-bodied sound.
—Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 30 Mar. 2026
For much of the last decade, a steady, often robust flow of immigrants into the county has been critical to bolstering San Diego’s sometimes sluggish population growth as more and more locals packed their bags and moved to other parts of the country.
—Lori Weisberg, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Mar. 2026
Riverworks will focus on bolstering the Beerline Trail, an old railway converted into a recreation path for residents.
—Everett Eaton, jsonline.com, 26 Mar. 2026
Security strengthens as finance-conscious Venus conjoins fertile Chiron in your 2nd House of Logistics, bolstering your capacity to be practical without losing that characteristic Pisces whimsy.
—Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 26 Mar. 2026
Kennedy French, Variety, 1 Apr. 2026
The government in Budapest alleged money laundering—a charge bolstering its claims that Ukrainians are engaged in funny business beyond their borders.
—Isaac Stanley-Becker, The Atlantic, 31 Mar. 2026
Supporters of the former governor argued Sliwa did not have a chance of winning and only divided the anti-Mamdani coalition, bolstering Mamdani’s chances.
—Andrew Stanton, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026
Democratic Senators Jeanne Shaheen (New Hampshire) and Jacky Rosen (Nevada) and Republican Senators John Curtis (Utah) and Thom Tillis (North Carolina) on Monday met with Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te at the start of a two-day trip focused on bolstering the two sides’ informal ties.
—ABC News, 30 Mar. 2026
Overall, the song retains Farley’s rustic, unpolished sense of connection, while bolstering it with a more full-bodied sound.
—Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 30 Mar. 2026
For much of the last decade, a steady, often robust flow of immigrants into the county has been critical to bolstering San Diego’s sometimes sluggish population growth as more and more locals packed their bags and moved to other parts of the country.
—Lori Weisberg, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Mar. 2026
Riverworks will focus on bolstering the Beerline Trail, an old railway converted into a recreation path for residents.
—Everett Eaton, jsonline.com, 26 Mar. 2026
Security strengthens as finance-conscious Venus conjoins fertile Chiron in your 2nd House of Logistics, bolstering your capacity to be practical without losing that characteristic Pisces whimsy.
—Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 26 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bolstering
Verb
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Sponsored and provided by LifeBridge Health Maintaining adequate nutrition during cancer treatment is important for sustaining strength, minimizing side effects and supporting the best treatment response possible.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
27 Mar. 2026
-
While the potential for a particularly dangerous fire season exists, it is not guaranteed, because the weather during the spring and summer months plays a large role in triggering blazes and sustaining them.—
Andrew Freedman,
CNN Money,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Larkin found that Muslim viewers in Kano reinterpreted Bollywood films through an Islamic moral lens, reading their narratives as reinforcing local values of propriety and ethical conduct.—
Gareth Barkin,
The Conversation,
2 Apr. 2026
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The video includes scenes from across the actress’s career as well as glimpses of her personal life, reinforcing her status as one of Hollywood’s most recognizable figures.—
Claire Dodds,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
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His wife spent 10 years as a paraprofessional at Liggett Trail Early Childhood Center, supporting children with developmental disabilities.—
Joseph Hernandez
March 29,
Kansas City Star,
29 Mar. 2026
-
The goggles, the GPS address and the laptop — all of it was strong evidence supporting the bizarre story Denise and Aaron had been telling all along.—
Lauren Clark,
CBS News,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Troopers have determined the bus was carrying about 60 seventh and eighth grade students and adult staff members when the engine compartment began to smoke just south of Exit 32.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
28 Mar. 2026
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Heifler was carrying a large bottle of Everclear, a liquor with a high alcohol content level and had other components to make the Molotov cocktails at his home, the complaint said.—
Jake Offenhartz,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Medical licensure boards such as the Texas Medical Board and the Texas Board of Nursing are responsible for upholding medical professional standards no matter where an individual provides care.—
Emily Brindley
Health Reporter,
Dallas Morning News,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Independence’s new artificial intelligence data center is moving forward after a Wednesday court decision upholding extensive tax breaks for the project.—
Ilana Arougheti,
Kansas City Star,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Ford is also staying optimistic about the potential outcome of the conflict, focusing on what could be a huge economic opportunity if hostilities end and relations between Iran and the Gulf states improve.—
Matthew Martin,
semafor.com,
30 Mar. 2026
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On Monday, Schottenheimer was asked about staying connected to players, particularly Prescott, in the offseason.—
Calvin Watkins,
Dallas Morning News,
30 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bolstering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bolstering. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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