buttress 1 of 2

noun

ˈbə-trəs How to pronounce buttress (audio)
Definition of buttressnext
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
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

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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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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
In a modern twist on this concept, Volvo is now megacasting aluminum alloy buttress-like structures in the new EX60’s diecast rear floor. — Kristin Shaw, ArsTechnica, 20 May 2026 Researchers have been concerned that without their icy buttresses, these walls could collapse. — Megan I. Gannon, Scientific American, 6 May 2026
Verb
This steady supply of new projects will buttress a local ecosystem that has increasingly lost business to competing production hubs. — Alexander Ciccone, Oc Register, 8 June 2026 Patriotic histories, after all, had long been used to buttress the oppressive systems that these scholars now sought to unmask. — Yoni Appelbaum, The Atlantic, 8 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for buttress
Recent Examples of Synonyms for buttress
  1. anchor
  2. support
  3. sustain
  4. reinforce
  5. pillar
  6. reinforcement
  7. bolster
  8. backbone
Noun
  • Friends and family gathered on Monday to celebrate the life of former WJZ reporter and sports anchor Stan Saunders, who died on Friday, June 26.
    — Adam Thompson, CBS News, 14 July 2026
  • Others include veteran New York City news anchor Bill Ritter and longtime actor Danny Glover.
    — Yi-Jin Yu, ABC News, 14 July 2026
Definition of anchor
Noun
  • Faucette attributes her sleep triumph to family support and a new parental benefit offered by the city of Atlanta.
    — Roni Robbins, AJC.com, 20 July 2026
  • Allen, who has been tracking the conflict, told CNN that drones are now used to monitor enemy movements, support ground operations, strike supply lines and attack infrastructure.
    — Nimi Princewill, CNN Money, 20 July 2026
Definition of support
Verb
  • Desalination plants are significant in the Middle East region, providing a key lifeline of drinking water and sustaining certain remote regions through droughts.
    — Monica Haider, CNN Money, 18 July 2026
  • Although revenues have expanded substantially, income needs to continue growing rapidly for Newcastle to sustain a higher salary base and regularly sign the best players.
    — Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 18 July 2026
Definition of sustain
Verb
  • The Athletics have been the worst team in Major League Baseball for nearly two months and reinforced that point Friday night in their first game since the All-Star break.
    — Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 18 July 2026
  • Reinaldo Dias da Rocha, who is from the same community, said his father had already encouraged him not to hunt sharks, but the project had reinforced the importance of preserving the animals.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 17 July 2026
Definition of reinforce
Noun
  • Each strike and counterstrike chipped away at the pillars of the agreement, which has now collapsed, though there are still efforts to salvage it.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 18 July 2026
  • The brighter silver paint contrasting the greenhouse and A and D pillars against the darker bronze lower body somewhat detracts from the overall look.
    — ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 17 July 2026
Definition of pillar
Noun
  • Any potential reinforcements off the IL for the pitching staff won’t affect what the Cubs do at the trade deadline, Hoyer said.
    — Sean Hammond, Chicago Tribune, 18 July 2026
  • The defense needs reinforcements Orlando has conceded 44 goals in 15 league matches.
    — Kyle Foley, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 July 2026
Definition of reinforcement
Verb
  • New Hampshire lawmakers have rejected attempts to end life sentences for juveniles, but Tulloch's case could bolster future attempts.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 13 July 2026
  • Hollywood industry representatives had warned the governor’s office that the new restrictions could affect the state’s production incentive program, which was just bolstered last year to an annual cap of $750 million.
    — Stacy Perman, Los Angeles Times, 13 July 2026
Definition of bolster
Noun
  • Darzalex, considered a backbone therapy, is J & J’s biggest single drug by sales.
    — Zev Fima, CNBC, 15 July 2026
  • Then there are the casual beachfront spots that give Las Terrenas its backbone.
    — Rafael Peña, Miami Herald, 15 July 2026
Definition of backbone

Browse Nearby Words

button (up)
buttress
buttressed
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Cite this Entry

“Buttress.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/buttress. Accessed 20 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on buttress

Nglish: Translation of buttress for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about buttress

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