1
as in anchor
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
Relevance
2
as in support
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
2
as in to reinforce
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 buttress
Stefanie Waldek, Architectural Digest, 9 Jan. 2026
At a number of events on Tuesday, senior officials made a case for gas as essential for energy security and a buttress to renewables.
—Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 23 Sep. 2025
Max Goldbart, Deadline, 9 Apr. 2026
Agency plans to buy and rehab additional homes The funding will buttress two of the nonprofit’s homeownership initiatives — the Acts Homes acquisition fund and Acts Lending loan fund.
—La Risa R. Lynch, jsonline.com, 18 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for buttress
Noun
Common traits include pointed arches, ribbed vaults, and flying buttresses, all of which enabled the structures to be built taller and stronger.
—Stefanie Waldek, Architectural Digest, 9 Jan. 2026
At a number of events on Tuesday, senior officials made a case for gas as essential for energy security and a buttress to renewables.
—Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 23 Sep. 2025
Verb
That conversation was buttressed by one agency, Lacara, promoting Twinnin to unrepresented actors including the parents of those under the age of 18.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 9 Apr. 2026
Agency plans to buy and rehab additional homes The funding will buttress two of the nonprofit’s homeownership initiatives — the Acts Homes acquisition fund and Acts Lending loan fund.
—La Risa R. Lynch, jsonline.com, 18 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for buttress
Recent Examples of Synonyms for buttress
Noun
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The National Mall and Lincoln Memorial anchor an outdoor collection of monuments, while the National Museum of African American History & Culture traces slavery, emancipation, the Civil Rights movement and African American achievement in sports, music and government.—
Lauren Schuster,
Miami Herald,
29 Apr. 2026
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As part of its investment, IBM’s FutureNow Chicago delivery center will become an anchor tenant at the IQMP’s Quantum Works building, which is expected to be completed by 2028.—
Robert Channick,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Many fans came to show their support for the third-year forward, whom the Sky traded to the Dream on April 6 for two future first-round draft picks.—
Kalen Lumpkins,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Apr. 2026
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Her son receives special services for a disability at Lake Center Elementary, and home routines are harder without this support.—
Howard Blume,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Wembanyama sustained the concussion in the first half of Tuesday’s 106-103 loss to the Blazers in San Antonio and did not return to the game.—
Anne M. Peterson,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Apr. 2026
-
In the absence of federal leadership, sustaining impactful state programs are now more critical than ever.—
Stephen Underwood,
Hartford Courant,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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That grip is reinforced by a litany of electronic nannies, all of which translate to an assuring sense of control and eagerness to discover more of the Valhalla’s powerfully balletic nature.—
Viju Mathew,
Robb Report,
25 Apr. 2026
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The measures were reinforced over the past 24 hours on the city’s outskirts with additional forces stationed along key airport access routes.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Downriver from the Shoshone Falls are the Pillar Falls, a low waterfall split by rock pillars.—
Evie Carrick,
Travel + Leisure,
26 Apr. 2026
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As their mutual competitiveness grows shockingly ugly, Niall learns to turn Ruben’s Samsonian strength and fury against him, knocking down the pillars of Ruben’s own life.—
Inkoo Kang,
New Yorker,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The Vikings could target him as an undrafted signing to bolster a defensive backs group that should look far different when the draft concludes.—
Alec Lewis,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
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This premise, bolstered by excellent performances all around, could easily have sustained a totally enjoyable TV show.—
Alexandra Schwartz,
New Yorker,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Some backbone and detail on issues such as water, immigration and the role of money in politics could help elevate the conversation.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Apr. 2026
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Cotton is the backbone of Levi’s business.—
Angela Velasquez,
Footwear News,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Baltimore’s defense received reinforcements both in the trenches and in the secondary.—
Mike Jones,
New York Times,
26 Apr. 2026
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Without constant reinforcement, these muscles will atrophy, and when real tyranny arrives, the flabby citizen will be powerless to resist.—
Graeme Wood,
The Atlantic,
24 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Buttress.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/buttress. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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