BUTTRESS Synonyms: 74 Similar and Opposite Words

buttress 1 of 2

noun

ˈbə-trəs

Definition of buttress

as in anchor

something or someone to which one looks for support the mother had always been the buttress of our family in trying times

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in support

a structure that holds up or serves as a foundation for something else after the wall collapsed, the construction company agreed to rebuild it with a buttress

Synonyms & Similar Words

buttress

2 of 2

verb

as in to sustain

to hold up or serve as a foundation for a brace buttressed the wall

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in to reinforce

to provide evidence or information for (as a claim or idea) a mass of circumstantial evidence buttresses the prosecutor's case

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of buttress

Noun

Researchers have been concerned that without their icy buttresses, these walls could collapse. — Megan I. Gannon, Scientific American, 6 May 2026 Three setbacks provide space for landscaped terraces, and at these floors, the structural columns slope inward, becoming tall buttresses that reintegrate into the latticework. — Adam Williams april 21, New Atlas, 21 Apr. 2026

Verb

That message has buttressed DeSantis’ advocacy for drastically slashing property taxes, a critical financial lifeline for Florida cities and counties. — Zoe Millán, Miami Herald, 16 Sep. 2026 Kansas City is buttressed by the 6th Congressional District to the north and the 4th Congressional District to the south. — Jack Harvel, Kansas City Star, 11 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for buttress

Recent Examples of Synonyms for buttress

Noun

Schools are community anchors and they should be used to benefit the community.

— Willie Wilson, Chicago Tribune, 11 Nov. 2026
And amid it all is the anchor of the precinct, The Calile, an urban resort hotel whose execution feels Aussie but whose ambition and hospitality would work in any major global city.

— Erin Florio, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Nov. 2026

Definition of anchor

Noun

The program aims to strengthen the military’s ability to gather information and support operations from orbit.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 7 Nov. 2026
And although Senate Democrats are in the majority, Senate Republicans can still use the filibuster to block almost every bill that lacks bipartisan support.

— Thomas Kahn, Chicago Tribune, 6 Nov. 2026

Definition of support

Verb

One unit sustained extensive damage, while the other two units had minor damage, fire officials said.

— Richard Ramos, CBS News, 11 Nov. 2026
Frankly, these stakes aren’t high enough to sustain a two-act show, and the dramatic moments feel forced at times.

— Emily McClanathan, Chicago Tribune, 11 Nov. 2026

Definition of sustain

Verb

Rather than demolishing and starting again, the team kept the historic walls standing, reinforced every one of them, and dug beneath to take the foundations deeper.

— Lucas Oliver Mill, Architectural Digest, 11 Nov. 2026
The event gave the community a chance to dispose of Halloween pumpkins in an eco-friendly way that would keep them out of landfills and also help reinforce the soil.

— David Sharos, Chicago Tribune, 11 Nov. 2026

Definition of reinforce

Noun

Crowley made defending Medicaid funding and preserving affordable housing central pillars of his platform.

— Maayan Silver, NPR, 4 Nov. 2026
Beyond reducing cash returns to shareholders, this sharp contraction in buybacks threatens a key pillar supporting tech stock valuations over the long term.

— , CNBC, 4 Nov. 2026

Definition of pillar

Noun

The model generated driving trajectories with competitive benchmark performance, while reinforcement learning further improved its planning results.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 6 Nov. 2026
Cronin and his staff added reinforcements in the backcourt after the departure of Skyy Clark and Donovan Dent to Louisiana State.

— Connor Dullinger, Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2026

Definition of reinforcement

Verb

Research on whether current or future AI systems could develop consciousness may further bolster the nascent AI rights movement.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2026
The governor also urged national lawmakers to pass a federal film and television incentive, which could augment states’ efforts to bolster local production.

— Brent Lang, IndieWire, 2 Nov. 2026

Definition of bolster

Browse Nearby Words

button (up)

buttress

buttressed

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Style

“Buttress.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/buttress. Accessed 13 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of buttress

noun

verb

Example Sentences

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