buttress 1 of 2

1
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

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2

buttress

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to sustain
to hold up or serve as a foundation for a brace buttressed the wall

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2
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

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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
Turkey is also an important buttress against Russia and has been a diplomatic player on the Ukraine war. Amira El-Fekki‎, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 June 2025 The mountains rise up like a curtain wall, crowned by a long buttress of snowfields and ice against the blue sky. Brian Mann, NPR, 24 May 2025
Verb
Without thick sheets of ice to buttress it, the rock face becomes destabilized. Ella Nilsen, CNN Money, 22 Oct. 2025 The upstream glaciers, now without their buttressing support, flow faster toward the sea. Evan Howell, Quanta Magazine, 20 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for buttress
Recent Examples of Synonyms for buttress
Noun
  • Based on his observations around Whitefish Point, Lynn said captains have a greater willingness to drop anchor and wait out a storm rather than risking it and powering through.
    Sarah Moore, Freep.com, 4 Nov. 2025
  • It's been 50 years since Good Morning America's co-anchors first began helping viewers all across the country start their days.
    Jordana Comiter, PEOPLE, 4 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • From fuzzy open-toe slip-ons to orthopedic slides with extra arch support, there’s an affordable gift in here for everyone.
    Izzy Baskette, PEOPLE, 26 Oct. 2025
  • Some celebrants were building political support for the controversial Barge Canal.
    JSTOR Daily, JSTOR Daily, 26 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • As national headlines rightfully celebrated Parks’ courage and the charismatic leadership of King in fomenting and sustaining the boycott, Gilmore continued to cook in quiet obscurity.
    Time, Time, 6 Nov. 2025
  • The same principles of careful selection, consistent maintenance, and thorough training that sustained his fleet now guide his thinking about financial systems and education.
    Jason Phillips, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • China’s most powerful Communist leader in decades has built a reputation reinforced by state media during his 12-year rule as a serious and steady hand.
    Chris Lau, CNN Money, 4 Nov. 2025
  • Completing each task gives your brain a small reward, reinforcing calm and focus when the kitchen gets hectic.
    Allison Palmer, Miami Herald, 3 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Support for late value form became a pillar of the climate politics of the Biden administration.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 5 Nov. 2025
  • Ice Climb Grand Island’s Trout Bay Michigan’s ice climbing capital offers more than 100 routes, from beginner WI2 pillars to expert WI6 curtains.
    Outside, Outside, 4 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • The program aims to bolster student nutrition in a year when federal nutrition programs were transitioned to the Arkansas Department of Agriculture, the governor's office said.
    Cristina LaRue, Arkansas Online, 7 Nov. 2025
  • China has undertaken a massive expansion of sites linked to missile production since 2020, bolstering its ability to potentially deter the US military and assert its dominance in the region, a new CNN analysis of satellite images, maps and government notices reveals.
    Tamara Qiblawi, CNN Money, 7 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Technology is another pillar of OACEUS's success, serving as the backbone that connects every aspect of its health ecosystem.
    Lyssanoel Frater, USA Today, 3 Nov. 2025
  • The tourism industry, the backbone of Jamaica’s economy, is watching closely.
    David Culver, CNN Money, 3 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Using deep reinforcement learning The new system uses deep reinforcement learning (DRL) to guide a robot, much like human hand-eye coordination.
    Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 5 Nov. 2025
  • Despite Pacheco being banged up, the Chiefs decided to stand pat at the deadline and not offer reinforcements for their star quarterback.
    Andrew McCarty, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Buttress.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/buttress. Accessed 7 Nov. 2025.

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