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

The bridge was closed for months as crews buttressed the span. — Mark Dee, Idaho Statesman, 3 Sep. 2026 These grants are designed to strengthen organizational infrastructure, buttress long-term planning, and build financial resilience. — Anne Thompson, IndieWire, 14 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for buttress

Recent Examples of Synonyms for buttress

Noun

The captain drops the anchor near a reef where fan-like corals in shades of purple and gold overlap, creating what looks like an underwater metropolis.

— Claire Turrell, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Sep. 2026
The event program will be hosted by Good Day LA anchor Brooke Thomas and features a DJ set by Katie Otro.

— Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of anchor

Noun

On a longer flight, having some additional neck support can make a significant difference.

— Julie Rousseau, Travel + Leisure, 26 Sep. 2026
Days passed without the administration providing Impacted Party 1 any traditional support services, that would have included time off.

— Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 26 Sep. 2026

Definition of support

Verb

Go Green tours allow passengers to learn the ways local communities and industries endeavor to conserve, sustain, and elevate their environments.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Sep. 2026
Over time, that consistency becomes trust—and trust is what sustains long-term client relationships.

— Steven Boydstun, Forbes.com, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of sustain

Verb

Mazzagatti emphasized that decarbonization and energy security must reinforce each other, noting that modular nuclear power can support both legacy industrial plants and the soaring energy appetites of modern computing.

— Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 23 Sep. 2026
That will help reinforce the movie as a filmmaking experience, and not as only a Cruise vehicle.

— Clayton Davis, Variety, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of reinforce

Noun

Target, which is starting to get some traction in its turnaround, but is still lagging Walmart, is making style a pillar of its new approach.

— Evan Clark, Footwear News, 24 Sep. 2026
Kicillof and others have seized on widespread economic hardship under Milei to rekindle support for the movement's traditional pillars — free education, public health care and workers’ rights.

— ABC News, ABC News, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of pillar

Noun

Leather maintains more traditional materials for the midle two stripes and tongue, but further reinforcements come via ribbed laces that should provide greater lockdown.

— Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 23 Sep. 2026
As Atari wrapped up his tour, the day’s heat was chasing the Ostrich Army out of their beds to go and greet the reinforcements who were trickling in.

— J. B. MacKinnon, Harpers Magazine, 22 Sep. 2026

Definition of reinforcement

Verb

Her words bolstered Matthews argument, casting doubt on whether the path had in fact been used by the public on a continuous basis sufficient to establish a right-of-way.

— Stefania Conrieri, Vanity Fair, 21 Sep. 2026
And there is plenty in contemporary life to bolster Sussman’s case.

— Margaret Talbot, New Yorker, 21 Sep. 2026

Definition of bolster

Noun

Merchants can’t wait for that backbone to modernize, so the real question is how much a provider actually does with the data those old systems already produce.

— Wayne Hamilton, Forbes.com, 25 Sep. 2026
The Sparks also desperately needed Brink to become the defensive backbone of the team.

— Marisa Ingemi, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of backbone

Browse Nearby Words

button (up)

buttress

buttressed

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Buttress.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/buttress. Accessed 28 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of buttress

noun

verb

Example Sentences

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