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
Over the next five years restoration will extend to the three great rose windows of the west, north, and south façades, the flying buttresses of the nave, the west façade towers, and the windows of the nave tribune as well as the choir chapels. — Michael T. Davis, The New York Review of Books, 23 May 2026 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
Verb
Two Runner is buttressed by a cavalcade of boisterously rootsy country acts all deeply versed in their genre’s bloodlines, who freely celebrate them with aplomb. — Aaron Davis, Sacbee.com, 29 May 2026 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 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
  • 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
Definition of sustain
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
Definition of reinforce
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
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
  • At the committee hearing, Wahab said the bill is meant to increase transparency over the county’s discretionary funds by bolstering public oversight of the county’s money and adding new checks on how taxpayer funds get spent.
    — Kyle Martin, Mercury News, 6 July 2026
  • The motorsport vibes are further bolstered by Track mode’s properly heavy steering and the brake system’s tuning.
    — Bradley Iger, ArsTechnica, 6 July 2026
Definition of bolster
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
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 8 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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