BUTTRESSING Synonyms: 30 Similar and Opposite Words

buttressing

verb

present participle of buttress

as in sustaining

to hold up or serve as a foundation for a brace buttressed the wall

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in reinforcing

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

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 buttressing Veteran starter Lucas Giolito joined the organization last week, buttressing a shallow rotation. — Dennis Lin, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026 The competition with China will hinge not on mimicking Beijing’s methods but on buttressing the core strengths of the United States. — Lael Brainard, Foreign Affairs, 10 Nov. 2025 Traffic among higher-income shoppers has grown, Kempczinski added, buttressing the company’s revenue. — Max Zahn, ABC News, 7 Nov. 2025 The upstream glaciers, now without their buttressing support, flow faster toward the sea. — Evan Howell, Quanta Magazine, 20 Oct. 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. — Book Marks august 7, Literary Hub, 7 Aug. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for buttressing

Verb

Last year at the Venice Film Festival, Italy’s Fondazione Prada officially launched its film fund, aimed at sustaining independent cinema from around the world without any restrictions on theme, genre or language.

— Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 8 Sep. 2026
Meanwhile, left tackle Rashawn Slater, who missed all of last season after sustaining a knee injury in training camp, was sidelined for much of August because of a flare-up to that same knee.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 6 Sep. 2026

Definition of sustaining

Verb

Turbine cancellations haven't materialized, and order growth has actually accelerated in some states considering data center moratoriums, reinforcing our confidence in the long-term power demand story.

— Alexa LoMonaco, CNBC, 10 Sep. 2026
Interiors are seamlessly integrated into the environment, reinforcing the very restraint and repose the hospitality group has become so renowned for since its inception in 1988.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of reinforcing

Verb

Star Matthew Rhys won best actor, Stephen Root won best supporting actor and Kate O'Flynn won best supporting actress.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 15 Sep. 2026
There is a concern that formally accepting their preferred description of ‘public figures’ could potentially be seized upon by Harry as supporting his argument over security.

— Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of supporting

Verb

The United States added 162,000 jobs in August, more than double what a consensus of economists had expected, bolstering confidence that the economy remains on solid footing.

— Laurent Belsie, Christian Science Monitor, 4 Sep. 2026
The map, barring any major changes, will revert back to the boundaries lawmakers approved in 2022, bolstering Cleaver’s chances of reelection.

— Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of bolstering

Verb

Authorities didn't comment on the drone's origin or purpose, saying further investigation was needed, but two senior officials said the device was likely carrying explosives.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 16 Sep. 2026
Since the raid, many have returned to work at US battery plants doing similar jobs, often on the same visas, while carrying the fear of being swept up again by immigration agents, the workers told CNN.

— Hanna Park, CNN Money, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of carrying

Verb

And neither were the co-hosts, who felt their fun, feel-good, not-that-serious event was suddenly being accused of upholding white supremacy.

— E. Alex Jung, Vulture, 8 Sep. 2026
Organizers describe the demonstrations as nonviolent and focused on upholding democratic principles.

— Tiffany Acosta, AZCentral.com, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of upholding

Browse Nearby Words

buttresses

buttressing

butts

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Style

“Buttressing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/buttressing. Accessed 18 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of buttressing

verb

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