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
In a modern twist on this concept, Volvo is now megacasting aluminum alloy buttress-like structures in the new EX60’s diecast rear floor. — Kristin Shaw, ArsTechnica, 20 May 2026 Researchers have been concerned that without their icy buttresses, these walls could collapse. — Megan I. Gannon, Scientific American, 6 May 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
  1. anchor
  2. support
  3. sustain
  4. reinforce
  5. pillar
  6. reinforcement
  7. bolster
  8. backbone
Noun
  • The founder's name anchors sentences about the company's achievements.
    — Joseph Byrum, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026
  • The 54-year-old Today show co-anchor appeared on the NBC morning show on Tuesday, July 7, wearing a blue collared dress.
    — Rachel McRady, PEOPLE, 7 July 2026
Definition of anchor
Noun
  • Corlys, one of few characters on the show who has survived long enough to ask for a favor in return for his service, shares his plan with Rhaenyra, asking her earnestly for public support from the crown.
    — Zoe Papelis, Vulture, 6 July 2026
  • Ukraine is expected to be central in Ankara, with debate focused on long-term military support, Kyiv’s own defense industry and what NATO can learn from the country after more than four years of full-scale war.
    — Elsa Ohlen, CNBC, 6 July 2026
Definition of support
Verb
  • Such faith can help to sustain residents of Cutud, where poverty and hardship are common.
    — H.M.A. Leow, JSTOR Daily, 10 July 2026
  • Veteran Mathieu van der Poel rode hard and put Jasper Philipsen at the front with 250 meters to go, but Philipsen could not sustain his attack and was overtaken by Merlier.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 10 July 2026
Definition of sustain
Verb
  • The discovery of the buckling columns launched a major effort to shore up — or reinforce — the building’s weakest points, with crews using emergency jacks and installing new steel supports.
    — Gloria Pazmino, CNN Money, 11 July 2026
  • Ship operators are favoring the Iranian route over the corridor along Oman’s coast, reinforcing the impact of the tanker attacks earlier this week, according to the trade intelligence firm Kpler.
    — Spencer Kimball, CNBC, 10 July 2026
Definition of reinforce
Noun
  • About 42% of Colombia’s territory is covered by Amazon rainforest, and the Petro administration made rainforest protection and a transition away from fossil fuels central pillars of its environmental agenda.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 10 July 2026
  • Early last year, El-Sayed travelled to Washington for introductory meetings with various pillars of the Democratic establishment.
    — Jason Zengerle, New Yorker, 10 July 2026
Definition of pillar
Noun
  • Atlas performed a series of soccer moves developed using a combination of motion retargeting, reinforcement learning and whole-body control.
    — Clemente Lisi, Forbes.com, 6 July 2026
  • Hundreds of firefighters battled blazes in Portugal, Greece and Spain on Sunday, with Spain and Italy sending reinforcements to Portugal to help with a massive blaze burning for more than three days.
    — Elena Becatoros, Los Angeles Times, 5 July 2026
Definition of reinforcement
Verb
  • New Hampshire lawmakers have rejected attempts to end life sentences for juveniles, but Tulloch's case could bolster future attempts.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 13 July 2026
  • Hollywood industry representatives had warned the governor’s office that the new restrictions could affect the state’s production incentive program, which was just bolstered last year to an annual cap of $750 million.
    — Stacy Perman, Los Angeles Times, 13 July 2026
Definition of bolster
Noun
  • Kelly looks into the camera and declares the Fairway attorney and former Obama Commerce Department official has the strength, judgment and backbone to continue her legacy.
    — Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 10 July 2026
  • In those neighborhoods, buses are the backbone of mobility, and improving them is among the most effective ways to expand opportunity.
    — Mike Flynn, New York Daily News, 9 July 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 14 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on buttress

Nglish: Translation of buttress for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about buttress

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