buttress 1 of 2

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
These scans combined with subsequent scans to contribute to a 3D model with detailed representations of the cathedral’s flying buttresses, arches, ribbed vaults, intricate wood carvings and stained glass, guiding the more than $700 million restoration. Ronald Bisio, Forbes.com, 13 May 2025 In the best-case scenario, lower rates would help buttress rising prices that are expected to come from the levies. Jeff Cox, CNBC, 20 Mar. 2025
Verb
Any good Marxist can tell you that the ruling class of any nation will frequently make social concessions as a way of buttressing its brute political power with moral credibility. Book Marks august 7, Literary Hub, 7 Aug. 2025 Any good Marxist can tell you that the ruling class of any nation will frequently make social concessions as a way of buttressing its brute political power with moral credibility. Andrea Long Chu, Vulture, 5 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for buttress
Recent Examples of Synonyms for buttress
Noun
  • In addition to Western guests, CGTN also uses Western news anchors and correspondents, giving the network an even more legitimate appearance.
    Robert Schmad, The Washington Examiner, 17 Sep. 2025
  • Krylon’s brown provides a grounding anchor, adding depth, while C2’s ochre highlights the heavier neutral.
    R. Daniel Foster, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • That means no more security updates, patches, or tech support, so now’s the time to upgrade.
    StackCommerce Team, PC Magazine, 14 Sep. 2025
  • At the same time, maintaining emotional support while encouraging autonomy strikes a healthier balance than enabling avoidance.
    Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Few characters, real or imaginary, have sustained this type of stage and screen presence for so many decades.
    Michael Taube, The Washington Examiner, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Everyone’s voice matters, and everyone is expected to contribute—not just creatively, but in building and sustaining the project as a whole.
    Caterina De Biasio, Vogue, 11 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Instead of predictive policing that reinforces existing biases, envision AI that helps communities understand and address root causes of social problems.
    Cornelia C. Walther, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
  • That’s not the case with the Margaret Dabbs London Nail Strengthening Treatment, which reinforces flimsy fingernails after just one swipe of its brush.
    Sophia Panych, Allure, 16 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Harried enjoyed a colorful green and purple display with vast pillars reaching high into the sky, as well as a subtle green glow as activity began to wane.
    Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 17 Sep. 2025
  • Britain’s ruling Labour party has made AI services and infrastructure, including large new data centers, a key pillar of its economic growth strategy, although the government has been criticized for tax policies that restrict the growth of its tech companies.
    Bloomberg, Mercury News, 16 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Republican lawmakers are upping the pressure on GOP leaders to extend enhanced health insurance subsidies set to expire at year’s end for those with Affordable Care Act coverage, bolstering similar demands from Democrats as part of government funding talks.
    Ramsey Touchberry, The Washington Examiner, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Fighting Irish are getting close to must-win mode early in the season without a conference title game to help bolster its College Football Playoff resume.
    Erik Buchinger, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Organizations like the National Institutes of Health continue to recommend moderate to vigorous activity — such as brisk walking, running, or cycling — as the backbone of good health.
    Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 15 Sep. 2025
  • Having a strong offensive line is the backbone of any good offense.
    James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Armed with those reinforcements, the Phillies have operated with a certain confidence.
    Matt Gelb, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2025
  • By combining hierarchical planning, reinforcement learning, and motion data drawn from human players, the project provides a blueprint for building robots that are efficient and intuitive in their movements.
    Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 9 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Buttress.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/buttress. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.

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