BOLSTERING Synonyms: 30 Similar and Opposite Words

bolstering

verb

present participle of bolster

as in sustaining

to hold up or serve as a foundation for used additional beams to bolster the ceiling

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in reinforcing

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 bolstering Black, a district alumnus, is running on a platform of bolstering the district’s college and career readiness programs and boosting teacher retention. — Sophia Veneziano, San Antonio Express-News, 16 Oct. 2026 Rather than bolstering support for traditional hunting practices, the constitutional amendment could make sportsmen and women pariahs in the public’s eye and invite further ballot initiatives. — Andrew McKean, Outdoor Life, 15 Oct. 2026 Dick’s Sporting Goods and Foot Locker are getting ready for the holiday season by bolstering its staff by over 11,000 seasonal employees this year. — Stephen Garner, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2026 Walton stressed the importance of bolstering the maternal health workforce with more midwives and doulas. — Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 13 Oct. 2026 El-Amin and Greta Callagan proposed the official pause on the transformation plan, which includes a focus instead on bolstering enrollment. — Wcco Staff, CBS News, 13 Oct. 2026 That includes bolstering blue collar work in manufacturing, natural resources, and supporting small businesses. — Saige Miller, NPR, 11 Oct. 2026 At the same time, Kpler said on Wednesday, tanker traffic in the strait has improved significantly from a low point earlier in the war, bolstering exports from the region. — ABC News, 8 Oct. 2026 However, NetApp is not just focused on bolstering its enterprise solutions for data centers. — Liz Napolitano, CNBC, 7 Oct. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for bolstering

Verb

The Hurricanes took the lead back after Xavier Lucas, who was playing in his first game since sustaining an injury in the season opener, recovered a Riles fumble (forced by Ethan O’Connor).

— Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 18 Oct. 2026
Two of the estimated 400 firefighters assigned to the Norte Fire were stabilized at a hospital after sustaining unspecified injuries battling the blaze, McGovern said.

— Nicole Acevedo, NBC news, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of sustaining

Verb

That same day, Houzz released its 2026 outdoor trends study, reinforcing the zoned-yard pattern.

— Lauren Schuster, Kansas City Star, 16 Oct. 2026
The Dodgers, after reinforcing their back-to-back championship roster in the offseason and entering the year as the World Series favorites, fell short.

— Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of reinforcing

Verb

The argument supporting Measure Z was signed by farmer Blair Voelz, educator Karen Rosenkilde Bayne, former Woodland City Manager Kris Kristensen, business leader Aniek Pflager and agricultural supplier Erik Wilson.

— Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 19 Oct. 2026
Following the meeting, Papin’s office said the state was committed to supporting businesses and that further measures would be announced shortly.

— Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of supporting

Verb

In April, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals issued an opinion upholding an arbitrator’s findings that the union may follow the card-signing process as a path to represent the workers.

— Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 8 Oct. 2026
Rubio visited Portugal a day after delivering a speech in the Greek capital, Athens, urging European countries to save Western civilization by upholding the values and traditions of ancient Greece.

— Matthew Lee, Los Angeles Times, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of upholding

Verb

The singer is staying at the hotel during her 2026-27 Paris concert residency and steps out to greet her fans ahead of each show, wearing designer threads and shoes.

— Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 14 Oct. 2026
Staying social and connected with others is vital for staying vital as you age.

— Maggie Ryan, Flow Space, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of staying

Browse Nearby Words

bolsterers

bolstering

bolsters

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Bolstering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bolstering. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of bolstering

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

compunction

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Can' vs. 'May'

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Did 'orange' the fruit or the color come first?

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes