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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in support
a structure that holds up or serves as a foundation for something else
after the wall collapsed, the construction company agreed to rebuild it with a buttress
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of buttress
Amira El-Fekki, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 June 2025
The mountains rise up like a curtain wall, crowned by a long buttress of snowfields and ice against the blue sky.
—Brian Mann, NPR, 24 May 2025
Mark Dee, Idaho Statesman, 19 Dec. 2025
Not until the twentieth century did medical schools, medical societies, and medical boards—three types of institutions that can buttress a profession—coalesce to give doctors a new level of influence.
—Dhruv Khullar, New Yorker, 19 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for buttress
Noun
Turkey is also an important buttress against Russia and has been a diplomatic player on the Ukraine war.
—Amira El-Fekki, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 June 2025
The mountains rise up like a curtain wall, crowned by a long buttress of snowfields and ice against the blue sky.
—Brian Mann, NPR, 24 May 2025
Verb
The survey prompted the emergency closure of the bridge to cars and trucks until early March while work commenced to buttress the roadway.
—Mark Dee, Idaho Statesman, 19 Dec. 2025
Not until the twentieth century did medical schools, medical societies, and medical boards—three types of institutions that can buttress a profession—coalesce to give doctors a new level of influence.
—Dhruv Khullar, New Yorker, 19 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for buttress
Recent Examples of Synonyms for buttress
Noun
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The buyout offers also come following the latest revamp of the Evening News, with Tony Dokoupil debuting as anchor.—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
28 Jan. 2026
-
Plan one anchor activity that feels indulgent, whether that’s a spa visit, a tasting menu, or tickets to a show.—
Allison Palmer,
Miami Herald,
28 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
And with the support of my community.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
29 Jan. 2026
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Another major addition is support for Connected Apps.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The classroom where the fire happened was the only one to sustain fire damage, but other classrooms sustained minor damage, according to police.—
Tom Ignudo,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
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Sakura Square can mirror the success of other cultural destinations, like Seattle’s Chinatown, where 76% of spending comes from non-residents, driving regional visitation and sustaining Downtown vibrancy.—
Jessica Alvarado Gamez,
Denver Post,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
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These tubes can also reinforce polymers or metals while maintaining conductivity.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
30 Jan. 2026
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As Morrison pointed out, representations and practices can be mutually reinforcing.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The geologic monocline extends almost 100 miles and is surrounded by white sandstone domes, towering monoliths, and otherworldly pillars and arches.—
Evie Carrick,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Jan. 2026
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As prosecutor general, Saab has been a key legal pillar of Nicolás Maduro’s government, overseeing cases against opposition leaders, protesters, journalists and civil society activists.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Still, Harbaugh and general manager Joe Schoen won’t have the same blank check as the Patriots to bolster the roster.—
Dan Duggan,
New York Times,
30 Jan. 2026
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Warsh, who served at the central bank from 2006 to 2011, was openly critical of quantitative easing during and after the financial crisis, a stance that has bolstered his standing with investors wary of inflation and fiscal dominance.—
Yun Li,
CNBC,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The system will form the backbone of a long-term partnership between FAU and D-Wave, which provides both annealing and gate-model quantum computing platforms.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
28 Jan. 2026
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Many are Latin American or African immigrants working in the agricultural, tourism or service sectors, backbones of Spain’s booming economy.—
Renata Brito,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
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This becomes a form of intermittent reinforcement where unpredictable emotional rewards strengthen attachment even when nothing fundamentally changes.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
26 Jan. 2026
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Starting pitching should be a major strength for the Red Sox, as a staff of Garrett Crochet, Suarez, Gray, Brayan Bello and perhaps Johan Oviedo — another offseason addition — is the best on paper in the AL East, at least until the Yankees’ reinforcements return.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
24 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Buttress.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/buttress. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.
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