1
as in sustaining
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 reinforcing
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 bolstering
In the past three years, Roaring Robotics has committed to bolstering its program by bringing in more mentors from companies like Molex and helping other schools build their own robotics programs.
—
Carolyn Stein, Chicago Tribune, 28 Apr. 2026
The Los Angeles Chargers addressed some of the more flaring holes in their roster in the 2026 NFL Draft, picking several offensive and defensive lineman in hopes of bolstering their strength in the trenches.
—Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 26 Apr. 2026
The Chargers addressed their biggest needs in the first two days of the NFL draft, made trades that netted them additional selections and then seemed to be playing with the house’s money on the third and final day Saturday, bolstering their roster at several positions.
—Elliott Teaford, Oc Register, 25 Apr. 2026
Ultimately, the Red Sox pivoted by bolstering their rotation, signing left-hander Ranger Suarez to a five-year, $130 million contract.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 24 Apr. 2026
Ellison has framed the deal as bolstering competition in a larger battle against tech giants like Amazon and Apple, not to mention Netflix, which is the dominant player in subscription streaming.
—Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 23 Apr. 2026
At the same time, the CIA has also been bolstering their own resources to combat drug operations.
—Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 22 Apr. 2026
Bender added that Churchill Downs bolstering its portfolio with the Preakness could allow the company to streamline sponsorship, media rights and hospitality offerings, while improving its overall ability to monetize racing events.
—Justin Birnbaum, Sportico.com, 21 Apr. 2026
Monster could accelerate its growth by bolstering its presence in Europe and Latin America, while new brand acquisitions would allow the firm to target more female customers as well as wellness and price-focused shoppers.
—Liz Napolitano, CNBC, 19 Apr. 2026
Carolyn Stein, Chicago Tribune, 28 Apr. 2026
The Los Angeles Chargers addressed some of the more flaring holes in their roster in the 2026 NFL Draft, picking several offensive and defensive lineman in hopes of bolstering their strength in the trenches.
—Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 26 Apr. 2026
The Chargers addressed their biggest needs in the first two days of the NFL draft, made trades that netted them additional selections and then seemed to be playing with the house’s money on the third and final day Saturday, bolstering their roster at several positions.
—Elliott Teaford, Oc Register, 25 Apr. 2026
Ultimately, the Red Sox pivoted by bolstering their rotation, signing left-hander Ranger Suarez to a five-year, $130 million contract.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 24 Apr. 2026
Ellison has framed the deal as bolstering competition in a larger battle against tech giants like Amazon and Apple, not to mention Netflix, which is the dominant player in subscription streaming.
—Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 23 Apr. 2026
At the same time, the CIA has also been bolstering their own resources to combat drug operations.
—Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 22 Apr. 2026
Bender added that Churchill Downs bolstering its portfolio with the Preakness could allow the company to streamline sponsorship, media rights and hospitality offerings, while improving its overall ability to monetize racing events.
—Justin Birnbaum, Sportico.com, 21 Apr. 2026
Monster could accelerate its growth by bolstering its presence in Europe and Latin America, while new brand acquisitions would allow the firm to target more female customers as well as wellness and price-focused shoppers.
—Liz Napolitano, CNBC, 19 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bolstering
Verb
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Four people were listed in critical condition and two suffered minor injuries after sustaining stab wounds or cuts, a spokeswoman for the Tacoma Fire Department said earlier on Thursday, AP reported.—
KC Baker,
PEOPLE,
1 May 2026
-
Colbert converted from safety to linebacker last season and excelled on special teams before sustaining a season-ending injury in the second half of the year.—
Omar Kelly
May 1,
Miami Herald,
1 May 2026
Verb
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Between systems, there will still be milder days, but they may be interrupted by additional reinforcing fronts.—
Brandi D. Addison,
USA Today,
30 Apr. 2026
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Nonprofits and civil society groups, for their part, can boost Bang for Buck’s expansion, reinforcing methodology consistency across the manufacturing ecosystem.—
Jasmin Malik Chua,
Footwear News,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Snitker was emotional, thanking Ronnie for supporting him in this career for all these decades.—
Gabriel Burns,
AJC.com,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Investors bought tech stocks viewed as supporting the AI infrastructure buildout and dumping those seen as threatened by its adoption.—
Morgan Chittum,
CNBC,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Jones was arrested on charges of possession of an assault weapon, possession of a large capacity magazine, carrying a pistol without a permit and interfering with an officer.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
1 May 2026
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The Spaniard left hurriedly, carrying a frown that owed to a sense of injustice.—
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
1 May 2026
Verb
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The weight of internal expectations and upholding the responsibility to the team is already enough pressure to push an NBA player to their breaking point.—
Jared Weiss,
New York Times,
1 May 2026
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Trump is counting on the justices to reject the discrimination charge as a majority did in 2018 when upholding his immigration travel ban against predominantly Muslim countries.—
Maureen Groppe,
USA Today,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
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According to authorities, Allen was staying at the Washington Hilton Hotel, where the dinner was hosted, and used an interior stairwell to bypass areas of the hotel that were heavily monitored.—
Kelsie Hoffman,
CBS News,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Could police have checked the hotel guest list to ensure no one staying there posed a threat?—
Shane Harris,
The Atlantic,
27 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bolstering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bolstering. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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