buttress 1 of 2

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

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
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
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 Energy, Elections, and Russian Subterfuge Russia, mired in the Ukraine conflict, currently lacks the military resources to immediately buttress its position in the South Caucasus. Wesley Alexander Hill, Forbes.com, 30 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for buttress
Recent Examples of Synonyms for buttress
Noun
  • She has also been spotted working as a substitute anchor for various personnel, particularly on weekends.
    Brian Steinberg, Variety, 1 July 2026
  • With a fresh margarita in hand, Josef launches into a 70-minute monologue about his Life and Times, which carries on past Nathan’s anchor-watch shift and into Coop’s.
    Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 30 June 2026
Noun
  • Overall, half of Americans (50%) support displaying the Ten Commandments in classrooms, including 83% of White evangelicals and 72% of Republicans.
    Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 25 June 2026
  • Trailing 3-1 in the third, Ohtani provided his own run support, singling to center to score Alex Freeland from second after the Dodgers infielder had led off with a double.
    Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 25 June 2026
Verb
  • Two firefighters died from injures sustained while fighting the blaze.
    ABC News, ABC News, 3 July 2026
  • The company may be showing some signs of financial stabilization, but sustaining a turnaround will depend on whether change takes hold throughout the entire organization.
    Andrew Staples, Fortune, 3 July 2026
Verb
  • But the additional wording on the MSG sign about confidentiality during and post-event reinforces that there is no livestream, no TV broadcast and likely a social media blackout – until Swift and Kelce deem otherwise.
    Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 3 July 2026
  • Goldman Sachs reinforced that view this week, initiating coverage with a buy rating and a $186 price target.
    Alexa LoMonaco, CNBC, 3 July 2026
Noun
  • The only way to preserve our republic is to strengthen the pillars of our present with the mortar of our past.
    Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 4 July 2026
  • These clips, showing first-person views from drones striking military and logistical sites, have become a pillar of Ukraine’s wartime propaganda efforts to illustrate battlefield successes against Russia.
    Marc Santora, New York Times, 4 July 2026
Noun
  • The left-hander had originally been viewed as a potential midseason reinforcement for a team with postseason aspirations.
    Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 20 June 2026
  • That’s likely to change in Season 3, now that both factions have added key reinforcements.
    Tracy Brown, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2026
Verb
  • Officials are hoping a surge of foreign aid and responders will bolster emergency workers and help address humanitarian needs.
    Gonzalo Zegarra, CNN Money, 29 June 2026
  • And what better way than to bolster such a big coronation than with a first proper country album in years?
    Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 29 June 2026
Noun
  • Building a century of infrastructure What Bucyrus built in South Milwaukee fanned out across the country, shaping the backbone of modern America.
    Malika Bowling, USA Today, 3 July 2026
  • Brut Champagne gives the drink its backbone—its acidity stays crisp against the other players, keeping the drink focused and bright.
    Joe Sevier, Bon Appetit Magazine, 3 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Buttress.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/buttress. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.

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