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
NPR, 27 Oct. 2025
Democrats see wins in battle for suburbia While some Democratic strongholds buttressed by working class voters have grown redder, the suburbs north of Indianapolis appear to be trending in the opposite direction.
—Marissa Meador, IndyStar, 23 Oct. 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
It will be buttressed by another 23 seats from another conservative coalition, who often vote with Milei's part.
—NPR, 27 Oct. 2025
Democrats see wins in battle for suburbia While some Democratic strongholds buttressed by working class voters have grown redder, the suburbs north of Indianapolis appear to be trending in the opposite direction.
—Marissa Meador, IndyStar, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for buttress
Recent Examples of Synonyms for buttress
Noun
-
Johnson’s turn at The Daily Show’s anchor desk is but the latest achievement in an increasingly successful career, which also includes the stage and social media.—
Frank DiGiacomo,
Billboard,
11 Nov. 2025
-
Gio Benitez, an ABC News anchor who is openly gay, joined a Catholic church in New York City and reaffirmed his faith after a long spiritual journey.—
Sam Gillette,
PEOPLE,
11 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Ensuring officials have the mental and technological support for making big decisions in big matches with big consequences?—
Megan Feringa,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
-
All face charges of providing material support to a foreign terrorist organization, and additional juvenile cases may be under seal.—
Jasmine Baehr,
FOXNews.com,
9 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
As national headlines rightfully celebrated Parks’ courage and the charismatic leadership of King in fomenting and sustaining the boycott, Gilmore continued to cook in quiet obscurity.—
Time,
Time,
6 Nov. 2025
-
The same principles of careful selection, consistent maintenance, and thorough training that sustained his fleet now guide his thinking about financial systems and education.—
Jason Phillips,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
As the fireline is constructed, inspected or reinforced, mappers record those details to adjust the containment percentage.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
11 Nov. 2025
-
The initiative is structured around three sequential and mutually reinforcing workstreams that aim to accelerate lowering emissions, boosting efficiency and building long-term resilience.—
Alexandra Harrell,
Sourcing Journal,
10 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
The Collectible design platform was founded in Brussels in 2018 and gained recognition for its finesse in linking pillars of design, art and fashion.—
Sofia Celeste,
Footwear News,
11 Nov. 2025
-
Bordered by antique wood pillar columns, the custom wood and glass front doors lead into a rotunda foyer displaying dark polished hardwood floors that run throughout the interiors.—
Wendy Bowman,
Robb Report,
11 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The program aims to bolster student nutrition in a year when federal nutrition programs were transitioned to the Arkansas Department of Agriculture, the governor's office said.—
Cristina LaRue,
Arkansas Online,
7 Nov. 2025
-
China has undertaken a massive expansion of sites linked to missile production since 2020, bolstering its ability to potentially deter the US military and assert its dominance in the region, a new CNN analysis of satellite images, maps and government notices reveals.—
Tamara Qiblawi,
CNN Money,
7 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
That idea became the backbone of OSEA, with undaria algae (a mineral-rich seaweed rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and firming benefits) appearing in so many of its formulations.—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
9 Nov. 2025
-
Despite these measures, investigators acknowledge that Brazil’s penitentiaries remain the backbone of command and communication for its largest criminal organizations — a paradox that the state struggles to contain.—
Alessandra Freitas,
CNN Money,
9 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Using deep reinforcement learning The new system uses deep reinforcement learning (DRL) to guide a robot, much like human hand-eye coordination.—
Aman Tripathi,
Interesting Engineering,
5 Nov. 2025
-
Despite Pacheco being banged up, the Chiefs decided to stand pat at the deadline and not offer reinforcements for their star quarterback.—
Andrew McCarty,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Buttress.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/buttress. Accessed 14 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share