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
Arthur Jones Ii, ABC News, 8 Jan. 2026
Taylor’s arrival bolsters the KDFW weather staff after some recent losses.
—Travis Pinson, Dallas Morning News, 8 Jan. 2026
The multitasking serum smooths skin, bolsters the results of rejuvenation treatments, and speeds recovery time.
—Kathleen Baird-Murray, Vogue, 6 Jan. 2026
The concert further bolsters the musical résumé of Williams, who spent his full 16-year MLB career from 1991-2006 with the Yankees and played a central role in four World Series championships.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 3 Jan. 2026
The legislation also bolsters congressional oversight of the Pentagon’s cybersecurity practices, mandating that the secretary brief the congressional defense committees on the changes no later than June 1, 2026.
—Renee Dudley, ProPublica, 31 Dec. 2025
Harpootlian said Hill’s guilty plea bolsters the defense’s argument that her credibility is irreparably damaged.
—Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 21 Dec. 2025
The cooling labor market bolsters the US Federal Reserve’s likely decision to trim interest rates next week, though sticky inflation complicates that call.
—semafor.com, 8 Dec. 2025
Israel’s degradation of the capabilities of Hamas and Hezbollah, paired with the severe blows Israel and the United States inflicted on Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs, bolsters Israel’s short-term security.
—Andrew P. Miller, Foreign Affairs, 5 Dec. 2025
Verb
The approval of the waiver bolsters McMahon's mission to reduce the federal government's role in education nationwide.
—Arthur Jones Ii, ABC News, 8 Jan. 2026
Taylor’s arrival bolsters the KDFW weather staff after some recent losses.
—Travis Pinson, Dallas Morning News, 8 Jan. 2026
The multitasking serum smooths skin, bolsters the results of rejuvenation treatments, and speeds recovery time.
—Kathleen Baird-Murray, Vogue, 6 Jan. 2026
The concert further bolsters the musical résumé of Williams, who spent his full 16-year MLB career from 1991-2006 with the Yankees and played a central role in four World Series championships.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 3 Jan. 2026
The legislation also bolsters congressional oversight of the Pentagon’s cybersecurity practices, mandating that the secretary brief the congressional defense committees on the changes no later than June 1, 2026.
—Renee Dudley, ProPublica, 31 Dec. 2025
Harpootlian said Hill’s guilty plea bolsters the defense’s argument that her credibility is irreparably damaged.
—Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 21 Dec. 2025
The cooling labor market bolsters the US Federal Reserve’s likely decision to trim interest rates next week, though sticky inflation complicates that call.
—semafor.com, 8 Dec. 2025
Israel’s degradation of the capabilities of Hamas and Hezbollah, paired with the severe blows Israel and the United States inflicted on Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs, bolsters Israel’s short-term security.
—Andrew P. Miller, Foreign Affairs, 5 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bolsters
Verb
-
Parents are encouraged to participate in their baby’s care through techniques like kangaroo care (skin-to-skin contact), which helps stabilize vital signs and supports development.—
MemorialCare Medical Group,
Oc Register,
10 Jan. 2026
-
Beyond still photography, the sensor supports 8K video recording at 30 frames per second.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
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City officials say Tuesday's fire underscores the ongoing risks at the site and reinforces their call for broader state-level reform to address enforcement gaps at mobile home parks.—
Nina Burns,
CBS News,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Every photo-op in Washington, every meeting with Israeli officials, every call for international intervention reinforces the regime’s narrative and undermines the legitimacy of the protests.—
Bobby Ghosh,
Time,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The platform also introduced a new age-verification system to group users into appropriate age brackets.—
Beatrice Nolan,
Fortune,
8 Jan. 2026
-
His players are not scoping out brackets and pathways.—
Henry Bushnell,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
That is the creative energy that crosses everything together, that sustains and fosters growth and enhances everything in life.—
Andrew McGowan,
Variety,
6 Jan. 2026
-
The electorate of this country often embraces the pendulum effect — and that chance of a swing in our political fortunes sustains my optimism for a future of peace and goodwill towards men.—
Letters to the Editor,
The Orlando Sentinel,
2 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
One reviewer noted ]that the supportive style was especially kind to their wide feet, high arches, and bunions.—
Annie Blackman,
InStyle,
12 Jan. 2026
-
The wrong pair can mean shin splints or sore arches halfway through a trip, and no vacation is worth that.—
Rosie Marder,
Travel + Leisure,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Yasmin Espinoza, whose grandmother was deported despite being born in Arizona, now carries her passport everywhere.—
Michael Loria,
USA Today,
11 Jan. 2026
-
Rams running backs Kyren Williams and Blake Corum combined for 102 rushing yards on 24 carries.—
Mike Kaye
Updated January 11,
Charlotte Observer,
11 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Contemporary accounts speak to the cruelty and exploitation that were pillars of economies of the time.—
Valerie L. Myers,
The Conversation,
8 Jan. 2026
-
The geologic monocline extends almost 100 miles and is surrounded by white sandstone domes, towering monoliths, and otherworldly pillars and arches.—
Evie Carrick,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
This upholds an earlier injunction from Jackson to ensure the agency would continue to exist as congressionally mandated, and to stop efforts to shutter the CFPB, including through layoffs.—
Stephan Bisaha,
NPR,
30 Dec. 2025
-
If the Court upholds the rules, the existing anti-corruption framework remains intact.—
Robert Alexander,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bolsters.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bolsters. Accessed 14 Jan. 2026.
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