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
ABC News, 29 Apr. 2026
The company claims that the latest announcement bolsters Australia’s industrial capacity, to design, build and sustain key defence assets, while ensuring a robust supply chain.
—Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 27 Apr. 2026
His ability to fit different schemes and alignments only bolsters his draft projection.
—Jon MacHota, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2026
The selection of Thieneman immediately bolsters a secondary that was depleted during free agency.
—Chicago Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026
The addition bolsters an offensive line that suffered some attrition at the end of last season.
—Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 24 Apr. 2026
The private-sector support bolsters multimedia coverage of climate change through digital, video and print stories from the Miami Herald, which retains editorial control of all content.
—Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 22 Apr. 2026
Brian Hynek, a professor in the department of geological sciences at the University of Colorado Boulder, agrees that while the study bolsters the evidence for a past ocean, the appearance of Earth’s continental shelves is partly due to the role of plate tectonics, which Mars never had.
—Jacopo Prisco, CNN Money, 20 Apr. 2026
While its store of B-complex vitamins bolsters the nervous system, and its As ramp up eye health.
—Catharine Kaufman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Apr. 2026
Verb
The soldiers are members of the 10th Infantry Battalion Guard Security Corps National Reserve on a weekend exercise to hone their skills as the Netherlands bolsters its military with new recruits and volunteers.
—ABC News, 29 Apr. 2026
The company claims that the latest announcement bolsters Australia’s industrial capacity, to design, build and sustain key defence assets, while ensuring a robust supply chain.
—Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 27 Apr. 2026
His ability to fit different schemes and alignments only bolsters his draft projection.
—Jon MacHota, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2026
The selection of Thieneman immediately bolsters a secondary that was depleted during free agency.
—Chicago Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026
The addition bolsters an offensive line that suffered some attrition at the end of last season.
—Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 24 Apr. 2026
The private-sector support bolsters multimedia coverage of climate change through digital, video and print stories from the Miami Herald, which retains editorial control of all content.
—Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 22 Apr. 2026
Brian Hynek, a professor in the department of geological sciences at the University of Colorado Boulder, agrees that while the study bolsters the evidence for a past ocean, the appearance of Earth’s continental shelves is partly due to the role of plate tectonics, which Mars never had.
—Jacopo Prisco, CNN Money, 20 Apr. 2026
While its store of B-complex vitamins bolsters the nervous system, and its As ramp up eye health.
—Catharine Kaufman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bolsters
Verb
-
Take a few minutes to reset, then make one decision that supports both your stability and your peace moving forward.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
28 Apr. 2026
-
The brand’s proprietary Alpha Keratin 60ku supports stronger, healthier hair right at the root, while soothing botanicals like rosemary, green tea, and rice extract keep irritation in check.—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The absence of a prescribed theme across the exhibition reinforces that multiplicity.—
Miguel Sirgado,
Miami Herald,
6 May 2026
-
Tuvia Gering, a nonresident fellow at the Atlantic Council’s Global China Hub, said the timing of Araghchi's visit is important, saying the meeting showed coordinated messaging between Beijing and Tehran and reinforces China's desire to have a seat in any future regional agreement.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
6 May 2026
Noun
-
The state tourney brackets each have eight teams, along with individual singles and doubles tourneys.—
Buddy Collings,
The Orlando Sentinel,
24 Apr. 2026
-
The plans show 17 units will be rented to those in extremely low-income brackets, 17 will be rented to people at very low-income levels, and 137 will be rented to others with low incomes.—
George Avalos,
Mercury News,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
University of Illinois Extension horticulture educator Nancy Kuhajda will provide practice insights about how to identify pollinators, and Nana Koziol, a Chicago Botanic Garden instructor, will demonstrate how to create a garden that attracts and sustains pollinators.—
Melinda Moore,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Apr. 2026
-
This is bad news for the river that sustains mainland Southeast Asia.—
Anton L. Delgado,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
As a national icon, the Natural Bridge served as a quiet, Emersonian rebuke to Europe’s militaristic triumphal arches, reinforcing the naturalness of American democracy.—
Sebastian Smee,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
-
The cork-latex footbed is great for supporting arches and alignment, and the adjustable strap is helpful for those with bunions or hammer toes.—
Rachel Trujillo,
PEOPLE,
4 May 2026
Verb
-
The racketeering conspiracy count carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine.—
Judy L. Thomas,
Kansas City Star,
2 May 2026
-
Lady Bunny, the drag queen comedian whose legacy extends back to the early 1980s, carries an eternal summer vibe due to her founding of the historic Wigstock Festival, a drag celebration which happened every year from 1985 to 2005.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
2 May 2026
Noun
-
The refined contemporary interiors are punctuated throughout with terrazzo floors, warm wood paneling, and rough-hewn stone pillars.—
Wendy Bowman,
Robb Report,
4 May 2026
-
That’s when tectonic plates first pushed them out of the sea, but the shaping of the pillars via coastal erosion only occurred over the last few thousand years.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
2 May 2026
Verb
-
Islam, like Christianity, upholds the dignity of every human being and encourages dialogue and reconciliation over conflict.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
29 Apr. 2026
-
If the Supreme Court upholds the decisions, Haitians and Syrians will be able to keep their protections.—
Syra Ortiz Blanes,
Miami Herald,
28 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bolsters.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bolsters. Accessed 8 May. 2026.
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