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
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
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 Ballard is entering his 10th season at the helm of the Colts, but his job security isn’t buttressed by his resume. — James Boyd, New York Times, 10 Sep. 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
  • Sulaeman said that a tanker carrying fuel to Bali suffered an anchor problem while preparing to unload cargo, delaying deliveries to the island’s main fuel terminals.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 14 Oct. 2026
  • After starting out in Canadian radio in the 1960s, Morrison joined the CTV Network in 1973 as a correspondent, producer and eventually a news anchor.
    — Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of anchor
Noun
  • The actors Nael Nacer and Artemis Pebdani double as Haddad’s great-aunt and -uncle and parents, playing across a spectrum of discomfort and cautious support.
    — Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 10 Oct. 2026
  • Its adaptable architecture supports missions including tactical logistics, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, casualty evacuation, communications support and other mission-critical applications.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of support
Verb
  • The work is intended to help transfer specialized nuclear-submarine design knowledge, improve technical coordination and strengthen the industrial capabilities required to build and sustain advanced submarines over their operational lifetimes.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Expect winds to be sustained winds of 20-25mph with gusts of 30-40mph possible and humidity low overnight recoveries of 30-35% will drop to 15-20% through the morning.
    — CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of sustain
Verb
  • Matt Schnaars, president of platform distribution and partnerships for NBCUniversal, reinforced Shapiro’s observations in a separate session.
    — Leo Barraclough, Variety, 15 Oct. 2026
  • The audience response has reinforced interest in experiencing independent films on the big screen and helped inform ABFF’s expansion into theatrical distribution.
    — Brent Lang, IndieWire, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of reinforce
Noun
  • The three pillars of regenerative agriculture Here’s an easy way to picture it.
    — Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 15 Oct. 2026
  • The collaboration falls during MCM’s 50th anniversary year and serves to reaffirm sport as a pillar of its history.
    — Miles Socha, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of pillar
Noun
  • Police reinforcements were sent from the capital, Brussels, and from Antwerp, and more are coming.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Namely, a desperate need for pitching reinforcements and a belief that Holmes’ profile would mesh with their Gold Glove infielders.
    — Patrick Mooney, New York Times, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of reinforcement
Verb
  • Microsoft Microsoft will ramp up use of its homegrown artificial intelligence chips after years of reliance on Nvidia's graphics processing units, as the software giant attempts to bolster its AI stack.
    — Jordan Novet, CNBC, 12 Oct. 2026
  • During a drive bolstered by a 36-yard pass from Thomas to Dakorien Moore, Oregon nailed a field goal, cutting the lead to a possession.
    — Elias Esquivel, Los Angeles Times, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of bolster
Noun
  • In the Dodgers’ quest for a third straight World Series title, the rotation is going to have to serve as the backbone.
    — Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 10 Oct. 2026
  • Cryptography forms the backbone of online encryption, used in web browsers, secure messaging and online banking.
    — Will Barker, TheWeek, 9 Oct. 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 16 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on buttress

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about buttress

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