buttress 1 of 2

Definition of buttressnext
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

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2

buttress

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to sustain
to hold up or serve as a foundation for a brace buttressed the wall

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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

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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 buttress
Noun
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 In this era, ogival windows and flying buttresses would be more bracing than yet another thicket of computerized-looking shapes. D. T. Max, New Yorker, 15 Sep. 2025
Verb
In the cases before the Supreme Court as well as the wage case before Hall, there is no suggestion that lawyers intentionally buttressed their arguments with phony precedents in order to win an unfair advantage. Edmund H. Mahony, Hartford Courant, 1 Mar. 2026 There have been a few studies suggesting that Maurten’s version does indeed minimize GI problems and enhance endurance performance—not a huge body of evidence, but enough to buttress the widespread anecdotal tales of elite athletes relying on it. Alex Hutchinson, Outside, 25 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for buttress
Recent Examples of Synonyms for buttress
Noun
  • Without an anchor point, the atoms migrated away instead of forming a short circuit, preventing device failure even at extreme temperatures.
    Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 1 Apr. 2026
  • Mule Alley opened in the summer of 2020 after the Stockyards ownership group spent years converting the historic livestock barns into upscale restaurants, boutiques and bars — with the luxury Hotel Drover as an anchor.
    Tanya Babbar, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 31 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • The festival is funded in part by the city of Charlotte, with additional support from the Hispanic Federation.
    Adam Bell April 2, Charlotte Observer, 2 Apr. 2026
  • With French support all but evaporated, organizers scramble for alternative sources.
    Smooth Nzewi, Artforum, 2 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • That’s how careers are built ‒ and sustained.
    Johnny C. Taylor Jr, USA Today, 31 Mar. 2026
  • The driver sustained only minor visible injuries, according to troopers.
    Zachary Bynum, CBS News, 31 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The nurses hope high-profile government campaigns like the measles effort will reinforce the importance of vaccines in the public mind.
    Katie Silver, NPR, 28 Mar. 2026
  • Its global reach, omnichannel capabilities, and secure end-to-end solutions create high switching costs for multinational clients, reinforcing its competitive moat.
    Justin Zacks, CNBC, 27 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Markets now price in a greater chance of rate hikes by year-end than cuts, according to CME’s FedWatch tool, removing what had been a key pillar of the bull case for growth stocks.
    Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 29 Mar. 2026
  • The upside of being a pillar in more titles as the Falcons move to 5A is high.
    Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 29 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • New acquisitions Isaac Collins, Lane Thomas, Starling Marte should bolster the outfield.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 28 Mar. 2026
  • The system continues to bolster its footprint in North Carolina.
    Chase Jordan March 27, Charlotte Observer, 27 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • However, ethanol has become the backbone of the daily commute.
    ABC News, ABC News, 31 Mar. 2026
  • Just about any thick, flavorful sauce will work with this technique, but the lingering heat and sweet backbone of the black pepper sauce below pairs particularly well with pork chops.
    Kate Williams, AJC.com, 30 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Helicopters, dog squads and reinforcements from New Zealand were dispatched to help track Freeman, who reportedly possessed strong bushcraft and outdoor survival skills.
    CBS News, CBS News, 30 Mar. 2026
  • The American Kennel Club (AKC) emphasizes that helping fearful dogs requires patience and positive reinforcement.
    Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Buttress.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/buttress. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.

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