How to Use bolster in a Sentence

bolster

1 of 2 noun
  • Most chef’s knives are either 8 or 10 inches long, from the bolster (where the blade meets the handle) to the tip of the blade.
    Katie Workman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Jan. 2023
  • There’s also a bolster around the edges to prevent you from rolling off.
    Madison Yauger, Peoplemag, 9 Dec. 2023
  • Each of these knives has had its butt kicked—and its belly, bolsters, spine, and scales.
    T. Edward Nickens, Field & Stream, 5 Oct. 2023
  • The seat backs, bolster pillows, and seats are filled with feather down.
    Megan Boettcher, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 Sep. 2022
  • The dog really seemed to like resting his head on the bolsters.
    Madison Yauger, Peoplemag, 21 Aug. 2023
  • The seams between bolsters can trap all kinds of tiny grotesqueries.
    Blake Z. Rong, Esquire, 11 May 2017
  • The space between the bottom of the bolster and the bottom heel of the blade should allow enough room for your knuckles.
    Marni Jameson, orlandosentinel.com, 18 Dec. 2020
  • The seams between bolsters can trap all kinds of tiny grotesqueries.
    Blake Z. Rong, Esquire, 11 May 2017
  • Another user loved the tall bolster that comes with the seat.
    Nina Huang, PEOPLE.com, 8 Jan. 2022
  • The bolster — the part of the knife where the blade meets the handle — seems thinner too, and the dimpled handle offers slip-proof control.
    Abigail Bailey, Good Housekeeping, 4 Nov. 2022
  • And its sloped bolster will give you the perfect pinch grip for better comfort and control.
    Wilder Davies, Bon Appétit, 12 Oct. 2022
  • Hold the knife so that the thumb and forefinger are in front of the bolster (the junction between the handle and the blade) and resting directly on the side of the blade.
    Katy Severson, chicagotribune.com, 1 Mar. 2021
  • The grip: Pinch the blade between your thumb and forefinger just ahead of the bolster like a claw, curling the other three fingers around the handle.
    Francine Maroukian, Popular Mechanics, 7 Nov. 2018
  • Reviewers note their dogs enjoy resting their heads on the bolster part of the sofa bed.
    Dallas News, 22 Dec. 2022
  • The bed also features a bolster around three sides that dogs can rest their heads on or lean into while sleeping.
    Zoe Malin, NBC News, 31 Mar. 2021
  • This bolster-style bed proved to be both extra comfortable and nice and spacious for our tester’s 75-pound pup, George.
    Melanie Rud, Peoplemag, 14 Dec. 2022
  • There are cutouts in each side bolster and four more huge holes in the seat back, leading one to believe that these seats are much lighter than the standard ones—21 pounds lighter, in fact.
    Ezra Dyer, Car and Driver, 9 Mar. 2021
  • New York wants to start changing that, as well as bolster consumer spending and job creation.
    Wes Siler, Outside Online, 26 Apr. 2018
  • Cloth seats are available in ash (mine, black bolsters with ash contrast stitching) or black.
    Emma Jayne Williams, star-telegram, 23 June 2018
  • Each knife bolster proudly displays the iconic bee, which signifies that it was made in the French region of Laguiole.
    Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 May 2023
  • The design of the wide, tapered bolster made this knife easy to grip and seriously comfortable to use.
    Valerie Li Stack, USA TODAY, 27 Nov. 2020
  • Many assert that the measure could at the least bolster existing efforts.
    IndyStar, 18 Jan. 2021
  • Even the seat-cushion bolsters are low enough to not give an annoying wedgie on entry or exit.
    San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Sep. 2019
  • Choose from six colors and six leg finishes, and add on bolster pillows or a sleep kit if desired.
    goodhousekeeping.com, 9 June 2023
  • It’s all enhanced by the couch’s attractive leather straps, which secure the rounded bolster pillow on one side.
    Rachel Simon, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Sep. 2022
  • Each knife in the Modernist 13 Piece Block Set features a bolster for sturdy, balanced cutting.
    Mark Heim | Mheim@al.com, al, 26 June 2020
  • Lie supine on a bolster or large pillow so that your entire back, shoulders, neck and head are supported.
    Dana Santas, CNN, 19 Sep. 2017
  • The front seats have a wide base and supportive side bolster, but their back cushions are too narrow for some occupants.
    Greg S. Fink, Car and Driver, 8 June 2023
  • Then there’s Milana’s Masand chair—made out of artful bolster cushions—which is captivating the eye of the high-design world.
    Elise Taylor, Vogue, 3 May 2021
  • The bed's bolsters provide a cozy spot for your pup to rest their head, while the soft, machine-washable cover ensures easy maintenance.
    Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 12 July 2023
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bolster

2 of 2 verb
  • She is thinking of ways to bolster her career.
  • She came with me to bolster my confidence.
  • The move is expected to bolster the depth of the infield — for the WooSox.
    Andrew Mahoney, BostonGlobe.com, 2 Aug. 2023
  • Owens doesn’t need to bolster his support with the Trump crowd.
    Robert Gehrke, The Salt Lake Tribune, 21 Oct. 2020
  • But the efforts to bolster the run game didn’t end there.
    Orion Sang, Detroit Free Press, 29 May 2018
  • He and the other backs will get help from that bolstered O-line.
    Tim Rohan, SI.com, 12 June 2018
  • The Jazz have a clear need to bolster their perimeter defense.
    Andy Larsen, The Salt Lake Tribune, 14 Jan. 2022
  • The industry has been bolstered by one piece of good news.
    Charles Riley, CNN, 31 July 2019
  • To bring the rating back up, the school would have to raise its cash-on-hand levels and bolster revenue sources.
    Hannah Dreyfus, The Arizona Republic, 27 Mar. 2024
  • The return of Jones will bolster a defense that will feature a lot of depth in the secondary.
    Michelle Gardner, The Arizona Republic, 29 Dec. 2020
  • The city hopes that this project will bolster future bike networks.
    Linnea Lipson, The Denver Post, 16 Jan. 2020
  • David's journey to good health has been bolstered by the many expressions of love that have come to us from across the globe.
    Jill Martin, CNN, 18 June 2019
  • Goluboff beat the catcher’s glove after a wild pitch to bolster the lead to 6-1.
    Sam Dodge, latimes.com, 30 June 2018
  • They're supposed to bolster self-esteem and all this crap.
    Mike Sager, Esquire, 4 June 2015
  • Sean has bolstered a boys team that already had a strong group of seniors.
    Steve Millar, Daily Southtown, 12 Oct. 2017
  • The Detroit Lions made a move to bolster their running back room on the eve of training camp.
    Dave Birkett, Detroit Free Press, 22 July 2023
  • In order to do that, the league needs to continue to bolster its star power.
    Mitchell Forde For The Oregonian/oregonlive, oregonlive, 2 July 2022
  • That could help bolster profits down the road should short-term rates rise in the future and lending picks up steam.
    Ben Eisen, WSJ, 26 Oct. 2021
  • Plus, the ginseng water is bolstered by 2% niacinamide to keep oil in check.
    Sarah Han, Allure, 26 Oct. 2023
  • The area rec programs helped bolster the high school numbers.
    Pat Stoetzer, baltimoresun.com/maryland/carroll, 5 Nov. 2019
  • That suspicion is bolstered when every now and then the mask slips.
    Anchorage Daily News, 31 Mar. 2018
  • Having these on hand can bolster your case for a higher price.
    Josh Jacquot, Quartz, 7 Feb. 2024
  • That could bolster the Fed's resolve to act at its meeting this week.
    Julia Horowitz, CNN, 31 Oct. 2021
  • Some investors believed the comments bolstered the case for the central bank to raise rates at a faster pace.
    Ira Iosebashvili, WSJ, 12 Apr. 2018
  • This theory was bolstered by a pic from the season 2 set.
    Tamara Fuentes, Seventeen, 6 Dec. 2018
  • This beef stew is bolstered by a trio of spices (cumin, chili powder, and oregano) that further accent the rich flavor of the beef.
    Southern Living Test Kitchen, Southern Living, 3 Oct. 2023
  • Zhang now plans to use uncrewed flights and better sensors to help bolster that case.
    Joshua Sokol, WIRED, 7 July 2018
  • Other tribes have sought to bolster their fire crews to do without the help of off-reservation teams.
    Kaiser Health News, oregonlive, 25 Sep. 2020
  • Despite a shoestring budget, the two forged ahead, bolstered by a sense of purpose.
    Carren Jao, Los Angeles Times, 22 Sep. 2023
  • The move would help bolster attendance for a game that in recent years has struggled with fan turnout.
    Matt Murschel, OrlandoSentinel.com, 23 May 2018

Some of these examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'bolster.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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