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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
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
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
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
Ariane Lange, Sacbee.com, 19 Jan. 2026
The survey prompted the emergency closure of the bridge to cars and trucks until early March while work commenced to buttress the roadway.
—Mark Dee, Idaho Statesman, 19 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for 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
The year-round employees are buttressed by additional leaf-seasonal workers to stave off disaster.
—Ariane Lange, Sacbee.com, 19 Jan. 2026
The survey prompted the emergency closure of the bridge to cars and trucks until early March while work commenced to buttress the roadway.
—Mark Dee, Idaho Statesman, 19 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for buttress
Recent Examples of Synonyms for buttress
Noun
-
While excavating the River Wear, archaeologists uncovered more than 800 whetstones — stone tools that were used to sharpen weapons and other tools — as well as 11 stone anchors believed to be linked to river transport.—
Andrea Margolis,
FOXNews.com,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Savannah was absent from the Today show that morning, and her co-anchors read a statement from the host and her siblings.—
Jordana Comiter,
PEOPLE,
4 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Savannah Guthrie, who temporarily stepped away from her NBC duties, including plans to co-host the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics, issued a plea through social media asking for prayers and public support as the search continues.—
Claire Carter,
The Washington Examiner,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Many of Minaj’s online attacks have been over the governor’s support of transgender children.—
Brie Stimson,
FOXNews.com,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The classroom where the fire happened was the only one to sustain fire damage, but other classrooms sustained minor damage, according to police.—
Tom Ignudo,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Sakura Square can mirror the success of other cultural destinations, like Seattle’s Chinatown, where 76% of spending comes from non-residents, driving regional visitation and sustaining Downtown vibrancy.—
Jessica Alvarado Gamez,
Denver Post,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The new edition will debut at Cosmoprof Miami in 2026, marking the next release within the Odyssey collection and reinforcing the brand’s ongoing interest in continuity and reinterpretation.—
Maria Williams,
USA Today,
7 Feb. 2026
-
The title is also riding high across South Asia, including chart-topping or near-the-top placement in markets such as Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, reinforcing the film’s regional pull beyond its home base.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
7 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Today, only one reconstructed pillar remains at the original temple site, located outside of the main archaeological park.—
Maureen O'Hare,
CNN Money,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Another pillar of Malaysia’s industrial push is the Johor–Singapore Special Economic Zone (SEZ), launched to attract high-tech investment along the border.—
Nicholas Gordon,
Fortune,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The two former Soviet republics, Armenia and Azerbaijan, agreed under the deal to reopen key transportation routes and bolster cooperation with the United States in energy, technology and economy.—
MICHELLE L. PRICE THE ASSOCIATED PRESS,
Arkansas Online,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Kim Kardashian’s clothing boutique Skims opened a two-level flagship store Friday at the corner of Rush and Oak streets in Chicago’s Gold Coast neighborhood, bolstering an already-strong retail district.—
Brian J. Rogal,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
All that is required is for the backbone of the Revolutionary Guards to break—and this is not a fantasy, but a realistic possibility.—
Shahrnush Parsipur,
Time,
3 Feb. 2026
-
Today, the Yamuna serves as the backbone of Delhi’s water infrastructure, providing roughly 40% of the capital’s supply.—
Rhea Mogul,
CNN Money,
1 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
This becomes a form of intermittent reinforcement where unpredictable emotional rewards strengthen attachment even when nothing fundamentally changes.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
26 Jan. 2026
-
Starting pitching should be a major strength for the Red Sox, as a staff of Garrett Crochet, Suarez, Gray, Brayan Bello and perhaps Johan Oviedo — another offseason addition — is the best on paper in the AL East, at least until the Yankees’ reinforcements return.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
24 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Buttress.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/buttress. Accessed 10 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
