bolstered

past tense of bolster
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

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 bolstered Many crude laughs were bolstered by the attached contemplation. Ben Travers, IndieWire, 30 June 2026 In Asia and Europe, tech shares were bolstered by bumper gains in the semiconductor space. Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 1 July 2026 The veteran center often bolstered the shooting in the Hawks’ second unit. Lauren Williams, AJC.com, 30 June 2026 Members of Congress on both sides of the aisle have bolstered efforts to fund lunar exploration by warning about competition with China. Jackie Wattles, CNN Money, 30 June 2026 After that was a long drive across the state of Alabama, bolstered by MoonPies, before our final leg in New Orleans. Rachel Tepper Paley, Bon Appetit Magazine, 1 July 2026 Almost definitely bolstered by warm, creamy salicylates. Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 28 June 2026 The partnership ensures British enthusiasts a complete, confident ownership experience for these American sports cars, bolstered by Corvette's recent Le Mans GT3 victory. Matthew MacConnell, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026 Considering Florida’s forward depth, which was bolstered even before getting Hathaway when the Panthers acquired star Brady Tkachuk from the Ottawa Senators, Hathaway will almost assuredly be on the Panthers’ fourth line. Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 29 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bolstered
Verb
  • Barker, Hutcherson and Watson and two others who sustained burn injuries were overcome by flames from fast-moving fires in Mesa County.
    Jessica Hill, Los Angeles Times, 5 July 2026
  • Bavi has sustained winds near 166 miles per hour with gusts of 200 miles per hour.
    Marshall Shepherd, Forbes.com, 5 July 2026
Verb
  • The floors are being raised, the ceilings lifted, the structure reinforced with steel and concrete, and the open floor plan complemented by smart home technologies and high-performance internal systems.
    Mark David, Robb Report, 4 July 2026
  • Goldman Sachs reinforced that view this week, initiating coverage with a buy rating and a $186 price target.
    Alexa LoMonaco, CNBC, 3 July 2026
Verb
  • Fujimori’s presidency marks a return of her family’s political brand to Peru’s highest office — a movement that has long carried a complicated relationship with the United States.
    Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 1 July 2026
  • Since relocating to Los Angeles, Gonzalez’s small downtown team has scaled Happy Organics into a design-forward brand carried by major retailers, anchored in local maker communities and a sense of purpose.
    Lisa Boone, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026
Verb
  • For more than 30 years, Alpert Jewish Family Service has supported Holocaust survivors through its Holocaust Survivor Assistance Program.
    Eva Weiss, Sun Sentinel, 5 July 2026
  • Over the years, Kelce and Swift have supported one another at concerts and football games, with the hitmaker even being present when her beau won a Super Bowl ring in February 2024.
    Michael Nied, InStyle, 4 July 2026
Verb
  • In February 2025, a state appeals court upheld the jury’s verdict, ruling that Missouri’s laws requiring companies to warn of dangers are not preempted by federal law.
    Sarah J. Morath, The Conversation, 2 July 2026
  • This week, the court ruled by a 5-4 vote against the Republican National Committee and upheld state laws that allow for counting late-arriving mail ballots.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Bolstered.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bolstered. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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