1
as in sustained
to hold up or serve as a foundation for
used additional beams to bolster the ceiling
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in reinforced
to provide evidence or information for (as a claim or idea)
a couple of tournament wins would bolster the extravagant claims that have been made on behalf of the young golfer
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of bolstered
The Hurricanes and Avalanche have bolstered their standing as Stanley Cup betting faves.
—
Miami Herald, 26 Apr. 2026
The Commanders also bolstered their pass rush and found more depth with Josephs, a player with rare length and explosiveness.
—Nicki Jhabvala, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2026
This premise, bolstered by excellent performances all around, could easily have sustained a totally enjoyable TV show.
—Alexandra Schwartz, New Yorker, 24 Apr. 2026
Moody is widely viewed as the front-runner in both the Republican primary and general election, bolstered by two previous statewide victories and the GOP's voter registration advantage in Florida.
—Cbs Miami Team, CBS News, 24 Apr. 2026
Animated movies and shows became eligible for California’s film and TV tax incentive after the state bolstered its program last year.
—Samantha Masunaga, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2026
Two decades later, the movie’s staying power across generations has bolstered Wintour’s image, and the editor has responded in kind – embracing the new movie in unexpected ways.
—Matt Donnelly, Variety, 23 Apr. 2026
Not to mention, a budding rap career that would have been bolstered by playing for a Bay Area franchise in the heart of the West Coast rap scene.
—Nathan Canilao, Mercury News, 18 Apr. 2026
It's also been bolstered by celeb power from figures such as Kerry Washington, John Legend and Pusha T.
—Oren Oppenheim, ABC News, 17 Apr. 2026
Miami Herald, 26 Apr. 2026
The Commanders also bolstered their pass rush and found more depth with Josephs, a player with rare length and explosiveness.
—Nicki Jhabvala, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2026
This premise, bolstered by excellent performances all around, could easily have sustained a totally enjoyable TV show.
—Alexandra Schwartz, New Yorker, 24 Apr. 2026
Moody is widely viewed as the front-runner in both the Republican primary and general election, bolstered by two previous statewide victories and the GOP's voter registration advantage in Florida.
—Cbs Miami Team, CBS News, 24 Apr. 2026
Animated movies and shows became eligible for California’s film and TV tax incentive after the state bolstered its program last year.
—Samantha Masunaga, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2026
Two decades later, the movie’s staying power across generations has bolstered Wintour’s image, and the editor has responded in kind – embracing the new movie in unexpected ways.
—Matt Donnelly, Variety, 23 Apr. 2026
Not to mention, a budding rap career that would have been bolstered by playing for a Bay Area franchise in the heart of the West Coast rap scene.
—Nathan Canilao, Mercury News, 18 Apr. 2026
It's also been bolstered by celeb power from figures such as Kerry Washington, John Legend and Pusha T.
—Oren Oppenheim, ABC News, 17 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bolstered
Verb
-
No one was injured, but some University of Kansas students have been given temporary housing accommodations after Stephenson Scholarship Hall sustained major storm damage early Monday morning, KU confirmed.—
Matthew Kelly
April 29,
Kansas City Star,
29 Apr. 2026
-
The project intends to show that a fusion reaction can be sustained to produce a net gain in energy.—
Aman Tripathi,
Interesting Engineering,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Earnings from India’s bellwether software services exporters have reinforced investor concerns about the sector’s growth prospects, signaling that the downturn in their stocks has further to run.—
Ashutosh Joshi,
Bloomberg,
27 Apr. 2026
-
As much as any juncture this season, two days in Mexico City reinforced why the Padres can proceed with at least cautious optimism.—
Dennis Lin,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Another carried a sign supporting the addition of Trump to Mount Rushmore.—
Skyler Swisher,
The Orlando Sentinel,
1 May 2026
-
Desmond wore a large knife on his belt and carried a black fanny pack filled with ammunition.—
Shelly Bradbury,
Denver Post,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
Menin has supported Wilson, Bottcher’s former chief of staff, who had his ex-boss’s blessing in the race.—
Josephine Stratman,
New York Daily News,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Other factors, including scars, bruising, ligature marks and signs of malnutrition, supported evidence of long-term abuse, the warrant affidavit said.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
However, most of SB 4 was upheld by the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals.—
Anna Giaritelli,
The Washington Examiner,
25 Apr. 2026
-
On Friday, the appeals court upheld a lower court’s ruling.—
Syra Ortiz Blanes,
Miami Herald,
24 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bolstered.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bolstered. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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