1
as in supports
to hold up or serve as a foundation for
used additional beams to bolster the ceiling
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in reinforces
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 bolsters
Richard Brody, New Yorker, 25 Feb. 2026
The new retail arrival bolsters Stonebriar Centre, which is set to bring in others this year.
—Brian Womack, Dallas Morning News, 23 Feb. 2026
Or to put it another way, each investment bolsters resilience, but that requires proactive leadership and capital planning.
—Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 19 Feb. 2026
Law enforcement agencies cite the automatic license-plate readers, or ALPRs, as a powerful tool that bolsters their ability to locate and stop suspects who may be on their way to committing their next assault or robbery.
—John Aguilar, Denver Post, 10 Feb. 2026
The proposal bolsters a 2017 law generally barring cities from passing laws to limit short-term rentals.
—Mark Dee, Idaho Statesman, 10 Feb. 2026
This is the perfect pillow for her since its firm feel bolsters her neck and back as needed.
—Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 10 Feb. 2026
The chemistry between Heldenbergh, Constantine and fellow senior co-captain Alex Frost (4-11-15) on the top line has led to a litany of crucial goals in this streak, but balance through the lineup bolsters the Cougars.
—Tom Mulherin, Boston Herald, 7 Feb. 2026
Adding White to a young crop bursting in talent thanks to the likes of Ball, Miller and Knueppel only bolsters the Hornets’ chances to end the playoff drought.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 6 Feb. 2026
Verb
In Abbas Kiarostami’s work, embracing the way that people who aren’t in the movie business talk and move bolsters the films’ documentary essence.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 25 Feb. 2026
The new retail arrival bolsters Stonebriar Centre, which is set to bring in others this year.
—Brian Womack, Dallas Morning News, 23 Feb. 2026
Or to put it another way, each investment bolsters resilience, but that requires proactive leadership and capital planning.
—Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 19 Feb. 2026
Law enforcement agencies cite the automatic license-plate readers, or ALPRs, as a powerful tool that bolsters their ability to locate and stop suspects who may be on their way to committing their next assault or robbery.
—John Aguilar, Denver Post, 10 Feb. 2026
The proposal bolsters a 2017 law generally barring cities from passing laws to limit short-term rentals.
—Mark Dee, Idaho Statesman, 10 Feb. 2026
This is the perfect pillow for her since its firm feel bolsters her neck and back as needed.
—Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 10 Feb. 2026
The chemistry between Heldenbergh, Constantine and fellow senior co-captain Alex Frost (4-11-15) on the top line has led to a litany of crucial goals in this streak, but balance through the lineup bolsters the Cougars.
—Tom Mulherin, Boston Herald, 7 Feb. 2026
Adding White to a young crop bursting in talent thanks to the likes of Ball, Miller and Knueppel only bolsters the Hornets’ chances to end the playoff drought.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 6 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bolsters
Verb
-
At the top of the list of must-haves for a home office, the ability to carve out a space that supports both work output and mental clarity is key.—
Patricia Shannon,
Better Homes & Gardens,
4 Mar. 2026
-
Today’s Full Moon is a Lunar Eclipse, which supports your domestic life through honest conversations and small changes.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Senate President Pro Tempore Monique Limón said the conflict reinforces the case for California to lessen its dependence on fossil fuels and move forward with cap-and-invest.—
Chaewon Chung
March 3,
Sacbee.com,
4 Mar. 2026
-
The revival reinforces Rocky Horror’s place in pop culture history as a living, evolving experience rather than a relic of the 1970s.—
Lauren Schuster,
Miami Herald,
4 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
In the Bracket Matrix, which aggregates 112 projected NCAA Tournament brackets, SDSU appears on only four.—
Mark Zeigler,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
25 Feb. 2026
-
The meme’s brackets and asterisks—never has punctuation been so eloquent—seemed to step in where words failed.—
Megan Garber,
The Atlantic,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Read side by side, the books also demonstrate the collective labor that sustains Ukrainian poetry today.—
Alex Averbuch,
Literary Hub,
24 Feb. 2026
-
The red-Solo-cup energy that sustains MAGA was in full effect, and America’s youngest voters—especially young men—were drawn in.—
Sarah Longwell,
The Atlantic,
16 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Nearby, three caves with wide openings also resemble the pointed arches of churches.—
Micol Passariello,
Architectural Digest,
26 Feb. 2026
-
As part of the museum’s expansion, the fire station building will be restored to reflect its original design, including its signature arches, windows and historic fire hose drying tower.—
Pam Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Spencer is charged with second-degree murder, which in Arkansas carries a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison.—
Faith Karimi,
CNN Money,
1 Mar. 2026
-
When Tim was involved in a serious accident in 2021, the community rallied to keep the tearoom’s doors open, an act of kindness Jan still carries with her.—
Symiah Dorsey,
Southern Living,
28 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The three pillars of the Alpha Plan involve an Alpha Phone, which is the Robot Phone that was unveiled along with the humanoid.—
Atharva Gosavi,
Interesting Engineering,
2 Mar. 2026
-
Three pillars The World Bank Group is pursuing the first path with urgency, bringing together public finance, knowledge, private capital and risk-management tools around a jobs strategy built on three pillars.—
Ajaypal Banga,
Twin Cities,
1 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Chait has extensive experience presenting to the Board of Education and unfailingly upholds the administration’s perspective.—
Howard Blume,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Feb. 2026
-
The Constitutional Court upholds Yoon’s impeachment and removes him as president, triggering an election within 60 days to choose his successor.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
19 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bolsters.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bolsters. Accessed 5 Mar. 2026.
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