bolstering

present participle of bolster
1
as in sustaining
to hold up or serve as a foundation for used additional beams to bolster the ceiling

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
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

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 bolstering Further bolstering the country as a prime location is the new Olivewood Film Studios, located in Amman. Ed Meza, Variety, 15 June 2026 Adidas is bolstering its relationship with Nordstrom with the launch of a national retail partnership celebrating the FIFA World Cup 2026, the world’s largest sporting event and the first to be hosted in North America since 1994. Stephen Garner, Footwear News, 4 June 2026 Beijing, Iran’s largest trading partner and the main buyer of Iranian oil, has backed Pakistan, too, bolstering the country’s credibility even further. Sudarsan Raghavan, New Yorker, 3 June 2026 Hilton's platform focuses on increasing affordable housing supply for first-time homebuyers, bolstering tech industries and reviving California's film industry. Saige Miller, NPR, 2 June 2026 Peterson’s appointment comes at a pivotal time for Minneapolis, the mayor noted, with the city in the middle of major public safety reforms, while bolstering staffing levels, working to reduce violent crime and building trust with the residents. Kristi Miller, Twin Cities, 2 June 2026 In Mexico City, where the tournament opens on June 11, officials are bolstering security as part of a coordinated multinational effort. Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 1 June 2026 The Eagles spent the offseason bolstering the passing game with a post-Brown offense in mind. Chad Graff, New York Times, 1 June 2026 Now, the brand is bolstering the effects of its resurfacing treatments with these pads, which can be used at-home to further improve texture. Jackie Fields, PEOPLE, 1 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bolstering
Verb
  • Investigators determined the victim was Edgar Carlos Garcia, then 39, of Mexico, who died after sustaining fatal injuries during an altercation that took place inside the warehouse.
    Reeti Malhotra, Sacbee.com, 20 June 2026
  • After spending months helping immigrant families weather the economic fallout of federal immigration enforcement operations in the Twin Cities, Smitten Kitten is asking the community for help sustaining itself.
    Ray Campos, CBS News, 19 June 2026
Verb
  • For the first time on Shark Week, the full range of great white hunting tactics will be revealed, reinforcing their status as one of the ocean’s top predator.
    Denise Petski, Deadline, 18 June 2026
  • Research from McKinsey & Company found that companies in the top quartile for ethnic diversity are 39% more likely to outperform financially than those in the bottom quartile, reinforcing the growing business case for inclusive leadership.
    Jack Hayes, Forbes.com, 18 June 2026
Verb
  • Your 10th House of Career gains shine as beauty-loving Venus arrives, supporting confident polish and the power of understated presence.
    Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 June 2026
  • State initiatives aimed at supporting fusion research and commercialization have encouraged investment and collaboration, helping establish an ecosystem designed to accelerate technological breakthroughs.
    Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 13 June 2026
Verb
  • The targeting led the Russians to use an alternative route, according to the Ukrainian military, with a large number of trucks carrying military supplies sent further west.
    Gianluca Mezzofiore, CNN Money, 20 June 2026
  • So my whole upbringing was hiding and carrying this huge weight and secret.
    Carly Thomas, HollywoodReporter, 19 June 2026
Verb
  • The Haitian Bridge Alliance, a rights group that advocates for Haitians immigrants, urged the Supreme Court to reject the government’s ask to end TPS and affirm lower court’s rulings upholding the protections.
    Syra Ortiz Blanes, Miami Herald, 17 June 2026
  • Almost every line feels like a dare to consider a deeper meaning than the mad realities of the gold rush and upholding a dying man’s wish.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 17 June 2026
Verb
  • The challenge for Beckham will be staying healthy during a rigorous training camp after being out of the league for over a year.
    Dan Duggan, New York Times, 16 June 2026
  • That was a fun one, with both teams staying aggressive throughout the match.
    Andrew Greif, NBC news, 16 June 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Bolstering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bolstering. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on bolstering

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster