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
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
In the cases before the Supreme Court as well as the wage case before Hall, there is no suggestion that lawyers intentionally buttressed arguments with phony precedents in order to win an unfair advantage. — Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 26 June 2026 Only the walls remain, buttressed with beams. — Jacques Kelly, Baltimore Sun, 20 June 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
  • Eventually, Yamada resurfaces with beer cans, lighters, sunglasses, two phones and a vape cartridge — but no anchor.
    — Evgenia Anastasakos, Chicago Tribune, 8 Sep. 2026
  • But the focus on the anchor-outs’ relatively modest contribution to bay pollution is indicative of a broader tendency, by no means unique to Marin County, to blame homeless people for everything that goes wrong.
    — Maggie McGowan, The New York Review of Books, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of anchor
Noun
  • The same investments that improve energy security can lower consumer costs, reduce emissions, strengthen industrial capacity and support growth.
    — Nana Menya Ayensu, semafor.com, 7 Sep. 2026
  • Modern submarine programmes involve sophisticated engineering, propulsion, sensors, communications, combat systems and long-term industrial support.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of support
Verb
  • For crews responsible for sustaining the Minuteman III fleet, that capability could prove valuable as the system’s service life continues.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 5 Sep. 2026
  • The midfielder turned right-back sustained the damage during Sunday’s 4-3 defeat at Chelsea after he was struck in the face by the ball.
    — Andy Naylor, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of sustain
Verb
  • Leeds, their defence reinforced by the arrival of Tarik Muharemovic, look like a tough nut to crack.
    — Oliver Kay, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Unlike ceramides, which reinforce the moisture barrier, or hyaluronic acid, which mainly hydrates at the surface, urea can moisturize and, at higher strengths, exfoliate dead skin cells.
    — Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of reinforce
Noun
  • Footwear is a key part of the strategy within several pillars outlined by Joseph Alkire, Kontoor’s president and chief financial officer.
    — Vicki M. Young, Footwear News, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Sports remains the third pillar of the country strategy, according to Oishi, who cites Prime Video’s existing rights to MLB, NBA and live boxing coverage in Japan.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of pillar
Noun
  • But when the margins are thin, the offensive reinforcements to supplement a young core are nonexistent, and the pressure is on, every mistake is costly.
    — Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2026
  • Real-world robot dataset AGIBOT’s WORLD 2026 Theme 3 dataset initiative provides researchers with real-world robot experience data aimed at advancing reinforcement learning and embodied AI.
    — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of reinforcement
Verb
  • Singapore is leveraging its scarce land, energy, and population to bolster its regulatory and agenda-setting power over data centers and sustainability.
    — Brian Wong, Fortune, 6 Sep. 2026
  • The Indian government said the decision was intended to bolster domestic availability amid lower production, seasonal demand and rising prices.
    — Deena Zaidi, CNBC, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of bolster
Noun
  • Ukraine repeatedly has targeted oil facilities that form the backbone of Russia’s economy, one of the world’s largest energy producers.
    — Samya Kullab, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Building the nuclear backbone One focus will be NANO Nuclear’s HALEU transportation systems.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 4 Sep. 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 10 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on buttress

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about buttress

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