1
as in sustained
to hold up or serve as a foundation for
used additional beams to bolster the ceiling
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
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Recent Examples of bolstered
For now, consumers have been bolstered by healthy tax refunds, which were lifted by last year’s tax cut legislation, but much of that benefit is being eaten up by higher prices at the pump.
—
Christopher Rugaber, Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2026
The film struck a chord with audiences, bolstered by its sharp humor and memorable performances, and even went on to receive an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Musical or Comedy Score.
—Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 1 May 2026
For now, consumers have been bolstered by healthy tax refunds, which were lifted by last year's tax cut legislation, but much of that benefit is being eaten up by higher prices at the pump.
—Dan Raby, CBS News, 30 Apr. 2026
Al-Zaidi, who is chairman of Al-Janoob Islamic Bank, emerged in the final stages of discussions as one of the leading candidates, bolstered by his economic background and business and investment connections.
—ABC News, 27 Apr. 2026
Sunday night, the Lakers ended up shooting 50 percent from the field, but those numbers were bolstered by Deandre Ayton’s 9 of 12 and the deep part of the bench that played most of the final quarter.
—Dan Woike, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
The Hurricanes and Avalanche have bolstered their standing as Stanley Cup betting faves.
—Miami Herald, 26 Apr. 2026
This premise, bolstered by excellent performances all around, could easily have sustained a totally enjoyable TV show.
—Alexandra Schwartz, New Yorker, 24 Apr. 2026
Two decades later, the movie’s staying power across generations has bolstered Wintour’s image, and the editor has responded in kind – embracing the new movie in unexpected ways.
—Matt Donnelly, Variety, 23 Apr. 2026
Christopher Rugaber, Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2026
The film struck a chord with audiences, bolstered by its sharp humor and memorable performances, and even went on to receive an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Musical or Comedy Score.
—Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 1 May 2026
For now, consumers have been bolstered by healthy tax refunds, which were lifted by last year's tax cut legislation, but much of that benefit is being eaten up by higher prices at the pump.
—Dan Raby, CBS News, 30 Apr. 2026
Al-Zaidi, who is chairman of Al-Janoob Islamic Bank, emerged in the final stages of discussions as one of the leading candidates, bolstered by his economic background and business and investment connections.
—ABC News, 27 Apr. 2026
Sunday night, the Lakers ended up shooting 50 percent from the field, but those numbers were bolstered by Deandre Ayton’s 9 of 12 and the deep part of the bench that played most of the final quarter.
—Dan Woike, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
The Hurricanes and Avalanche have bolstered their standing as Stanley Cup betting faves.
—Miami Herald, 26 Apr. 2026
This premise, bolstered by excellent performances all around, could easily have sustained a totally enjoyable TV show.
—Alexandra Schwartz, New Yorker, 24 Apr. 2026
Two decades later, the movie’s staying power across generations has bolstered Wintour’s image, and the editor has responded in kind – embracing the new movie in unexpected ways.
—Matt Donnelly, Variety, 23 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bolstered
Verb
-
No one was injured, but some University of Kansas students have been given temporary housing accommodations after Stephenson Scholarship Hall sustained major storm damage early Monday morning, KU confirmed.—
Matthew Kelly
April 29,
Kansas City Star,
29 Apr. 2026
-
The project intends to show that a fusion reaction can be sustained to produce a net gain in energy.—
Aman Tripathi,
Interesting Engineering,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Longoria reinforced this as an important point for the rising star producers in the room.—
Cynthia Littleton,
Variety,
4 May 2026
-
Youth-defying goalie Duran Ferree reinforced the back line’s confidence with three straight clean sheets to begin the season.—
Eddie Brown,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
Another carried a sign supporting the addition of Trump to Mount Rushmore.—
Skyler Swisher,
The Orlando Sentinel,
1 May 2026
-
Desmond wore a large knife on his belt and carried a black fanny pack filled with ammunition.—
Shelly Bradbury,
Denver Post,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
Menin has supported Wilson, Bottcher’s former chief of staff, who had his ex-boss’s blessing in the race.—
Josephine Stratman,
New York Daily News,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Other factors, including scars, bruising, ligature marks and signs of malnutrition, supported evidence of long-term abuse, the warrant affidavit said.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Then a non-replacement replay official — who normally held a managerial role and wasn’t in the union — somehow upheld it.—
Michael Silver,
New York Times,
30 Apr. 2026
-
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,
30 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bolstered.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bolstered. Accessed 5 May. 2026.
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