Bolster
verb /ˈbəʊl.stər/ — To support or strengthen something.
Definition
To support or strengthen something; to give a boost to someone or something that needs reinforcement — emotionally, structurally, or argumentatively.
Beyond the definition
Bolster is a word of active support. You bolster confidence, you bolster an argument, you bolster a wall. There's something tactile about it — it implies putting something solid underneath or behind what might otherwise sag. It's the word for the friend who shows up when you're flagging.
Origin & history
From Old English bolster ('cushion, pillow'), related to ball. A bolster was literally the long pillow placed at the head of a bed for support. The verb came from the noun: to provide that kind of firm, steady backing.
Example sentences
Illustrative sentences for learning, not verified community posts or sourced quotations.
The coach's quiet confidence in her bolstered her through the most difficult part of the competition.
He cited three additional studies to bolster his argument.
How to use it
This entry uses a verb. Follow the examples for tense and any objects or prepositions it needs.
Choose “Bolster” when the meaning fits your context: To support or strengthen something; to give a boost to someone or something that needs reinforcement — emotionally, structurally, or argumentatively.
Synonyms
strengthen, reinforce, support, shore up, boost
Antonyms
undermine, weaken, destabilize, erode
Related words
- reinforce
- buttress
- shore up
- fortify
Bolster vs reinforce
Reinforce means to strengthen what already exists — adding to something solid to make it more durable or resistant. Bolster implies giving support to something that is flagging, insufficient, or at risk of failing: you bolster confidence that is wavering, an argument that needs more evidence, a position under threat. You reinforce a wall; you bolster a team that is struggling. Both add strength, but bolster responds to weakness while reinforce responds to the need for greater strength.
Word in the Wild
See how this word appears in life, language and stories.
Illustrative sentences and imagined stories for learning — not verified sightings, interviews, or sourced quotations.
Fictional scene
Strengthening growth through the cracks
A small green shoot grows through a crack in marble, near a tarnished brass compass that rests on the stone surface.
The stone provides a stable environment for the shoot to grow, effectively bolstering its fragile existence. This reinforces the idea of support, where something sturdy provides the necessary strength for a weaker entity to flourish despite difficulties.
Image credit: Wordspun · AI-generated conceptual illustration
Questions about this word
What does "Bolster" mean?
Bolster is verb meaning: To support or strengthen something.. To support or strengthen something; to give a boost to someone or something that needs reinforcement — emotionally, structurally, or argumentatively.
Where does the word "Bolster" come from?
From Old English bolster ('cushion, pillow'), related to ball. A bolster was literally the long pillow placed at the head of a bed for support. The verb came from the noun: to provide that kind of firm, steady backing.