1
as in anchors
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
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2
as in pillars
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
as in supports
to hold up or serve as a foundation for
a brace buttressed the wall
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in reinforces
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
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Recent Examples of buttresses
Adam Williams
april 21, New Atlas, 21 Apr. 2026
Arches and natural bridges sweep like buttresses from jumbles of rock, giving this landscape a mystical, cathedral-like quality.
—Madison Chapman, Outside, 25 Mar. 2026
James B. Steinberg, Foreign Affairs, 9 June 2020
Noun
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
Arches and natural bridges sweep like buttresses from jumbles of rock, giving this landscape a mystical, cathedral-like quality.
—Madison Chapman, Outside, 25 Mar. 2026
Verb
That very insight further buttresses the need for a grand strategy.
—James B. Steinberg, Foreign Affairs, 9 June 2020
Recent Examples of Synonyms for buttresses
Noun
-
Gateway Centre’s primary anchors are a Lucky supermarket and Dollar Tree discount store.—
George Avalos,
Mercury News,
22 Apr. 2026
-
Johnson was arguably the top performer of the spring with multiple interceptions, while Carroll and Din-Mbuh were anchors in the middle.—
Steven Johnson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
21 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The two pillars of private markets have become deeply intertwined over the past decade, with direct lenders stepping in as a key financing engine for buyouts after banks retreated following the global financial crisis, according to industry veterans.—
Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
20 Apr. 2026
-
Along with North, last year’s inaugural class included Kansas City arts pillars such as visual artist Harold Smith, drum and dance instructor Danny Hinds and singer Darcus Speed Gates, reflecting the range of disciplines the awards aim to recognize.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Teresa Moya, the museum’s director, told the Art Newspaper that the addition supports Anahuacalli’s role as a center for research, conservation, and study.—
Daniel Cassady,
ARTnews.com,
21 Apr. 2026
-
This supports housing stability and economic mobility in Charlotte’s West End.—
Chase Jordan
April 21,
Charlotte Observer,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The test also reinforces the growing importance of layered defense strategies.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
21 Apr. 2026
-
To many British veterans, the Australian case reinforces fears that the same trend could spread across other Western militaries, including the United States.—
Efrat Lachter,
FOXNews.com,
21 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Hundreds of animals with backbones are still being discovered every single year.—
Hanna Wickes,
Miami Herald,
6 Mar. 2026
-
To start the new Mideast war, Donnie acted on his own with no resistance from his sycophants, who have no backbones.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
3 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Their shores have received merchants, soldiers and migrants moving between East Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, and the Indian subcontinent.—
Adam Pourahmadi,
CNN Money,
22 Apr. 2026
-
The Album, helped steer Epic from the digital sea and into the shores of the real world, with physical product and merchandizing, racking up millions of dollars from an eager fanbase.—
Borys Kit,
HollywoodReporter,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The district’s identity as both a destination and a neighborhood depends on striking a balance between entertainment vitality and the livability that sustains long-term commercial investment.—
Harrison Mantas,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
25 Apr. 2026
-
By Michelle Edgar In a neighborhood often defined by its challenges, a different story is taking shape with the unveiling of a mural honoring unity, immigrant contributions and the unseen work that sustains Los Angeles.—
Daily News,
Daily News,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The selection of Thieneman immediately bolsters a secondary that was depleted during free agency.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
24 Apr. 2026
-
The addition bolsters an offensive line that suffered some attrition at the end of last season.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
24 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Buttresses.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/buttresses. Accessed 27 Apr. 2026.
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