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
The top line of 100-point senior Joey Ryan, 100-point junior Ryan Elrick and senior Andrew Gillis has a case as the state’s best, bolstered by balanced scoring production from the blue line and 100-point defenseman Teddy Shuman.
—
Tom Mulherin, Boston Herald, 14 Mar. 2026
The drug not only bolstered dendrites but also improved the rats’ behaviors.
—Clayton Dalton, New Yorker, 13 Mar. 2026
After a flurry of moves at other positions on the first four days of free agency, the Miami Dolphins have bolstered their offensive line before the first week concluded.
—David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 13 Mar. 2026
Anonymous tip line 88-CRIME has put up $2,500, bolstered by an anonymous donation of $100,000.
—Jami Ganz, New York Daily News, 13 Mar. 2026
The Chicago Police Department’s bolstered training in the execution of search warrants will soon mean an increase in residential searches by CPD officers, Superintendent Larry Snelling told a federal judge yesterday.
—Chicago Tribune, 11 Mar. 2026
Khanna, who has also bolstered his national profile over the past year, joined Sanders last week in unveiling federal legislation that would establish a 5 percent tax on the country’s billionaires.
—Julia Shapero, The Hill, 11 Mar. 2026
The Chargers bolstered their efforts to protect quarterback Justin Herbert all while diversifying their offense by agreeing to a multiyear deal with veteran fullback Alec Ingold on Sunday, the team announced.
—Senior Editor, Los Angeles Times, 9 Mar. 2026
This blast could come to define Puerto Rico’s identity in this iteration of the WBC as a scrappy underdog bolstered by staunch pitching and clutch hits, especially if its 2-0 advantage here turns into a title game berth for another chance at the island’s first championship.
—Maria Torres, New York Times, 8 Mar. 2026
Tom Mulherin, Boston Herald, 14 Mar. 2026
The drug not only bolstered dendrites but also improved the rats’ behaviors.
—Clayton Dalton, New Yorker, 13 Mar. 2026
After a flurry of moves at other positions on the first four days of free agency, the Miami Dolphins have bolstered their offensive line before the first week concluded.
—David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 13 Mar. 2026
Anonymous tip line 88-CRIME has put up $2,500, bolstered by an anonymous donation of $100,000.
—Jami Ganz, New York Daily News, 13 Mar. 2026
The Chicago Police Department’s bolstered training in the execution of search warrants will soon mean an increase in residential searches by CPD officers, Superintendent Larry Snelling told a federal judge yesterday.
—Chicago Tribune, 11 Mar. 2026
Khanna, who has also bolstered his national profile over the past year, joined Sanders last week in unveiling federal legislation that would establish a 5 percent tax on the country’s billionaires.
—Julia Shapero, The Hill, 11 Mar. 2026
The Chargers bolstered their efforts to protect quarterback Justin Herbert all while diversifying their offense by agreeing to a multiyear deal with veteran fullback Alec Ingold on Sunday, the team announced.
—Senior Editor, Los Angeles Times, 9 Mar. 2026
This blast could come to define Puerto Rico’s identity in this iteration of the WBC as a scrappy underdog bolstered by staunch pitching and clutch hits, especially if its 2-0 advantage here turns into a title game berth for another chance at the island’s first championship.
—Maria Torres, New York Times, 8 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bolstered
Verb
-
Cooper remains uncertain whether those efforts will be sustained.—
Tony Plohetski,
Austin American Statesman,
19 Mar. 2026
-
The 24-year-old Harber sustained the injury on Saturday against the Arizona Diamondbacks while running from first to third on a double by catcher Eric Haase.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Cupp reinforced the appeal of Bravo for an initiative like this given how intense the fandom is around the brand itself, as well as individual shows.—
Cynthia Littleton,
Variety,
15 Mar. 2026
-
Security around Jewish schools and other sites was reinforced after an explosion near a synagogue in Liege, Belgium, and a blast that caused a small fire at the entrance of a synagogue in the Dutch port city of Rotterdam on Friday.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
14 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Even minor parks or embers might be carried into leaves or grass, kindling a fire that can swiftly expand.—
KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT,
Kansas City Star,
21 Mar. 2026
-
Much like Cam Newton did for the Panthers, albeit with less team success, Walker carried the Hornets throughout the 2010s.—
Scott Fowler,
Charlotte Observer,
20 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Dabrowski of Wilmette, the former president of the Wirepoints conservative activist organization, was backed by some of the same people who supported Bailey’s 2022 run but deemed him unelectable this time.—
Rick Pearson,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Mar. 2026
-
Polls suggest most Venezuelans supported the ouster of Maduro but not its country being invaded militarily.—
Greg Cote
Updated March 17,
Miami Herald,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Italy's Constitutional Court on March 12 upheld a 2025 law restricting citizenship to persons with an Italian parent or grandparent.—
Mike Snider,
USA Today,
15 Mar. 2026
-
His firing was upheld in court.—
Aaron Leibowitz,
Miami Herald,
14 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bolstered.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bolstered. Accessed 21 Mar. 2026.
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