Synonyms for bolster

Most common

support · help · maintain · buttress

Synonyms by meaning

Verb

Noun

Antonyms

counter-argue, decimate, subvert

All antonyms of bolster →

Definitions

1. v. 1

   To brace, reinforce, secure, or support.

2. n. 1

   A short, horizontal structural timber between a post and a beam for enlarging the bearing area of the post and/or reducing the span of the beam.

Related words

Phrases

bolster up

Forms

Plural

bolsters → pillows, crossheads…

Past participle

bolstered
e.g. bolstered → supported, helpt, maintained, buttressed…

Example sentences

• aid When I need help, an angel always comes to my aid.
• maintain Algeria is determined to maintain its sovereignty.
• sustain Algeria needs to sustain a better level of growth.
• buttress He used evidence to buttress his claims.
• cushion The benches are hard, so I always bring a cushion.

Popularity over time

Use in printed books, per decade from 1850 to 2019.

By length

3 letters

aid¹, pad¹

4 letters

help¹, prop¹

5 letters

shore¹

6 letters

pillow², uphold²

7 letters

support², sustain², cushion²

8 letters

maintain², buttress²

9 letters

subsidize³, subsidise, crosshead

The small number after each word is its number of syllables (pillow² = 2 syllables).

In other languages

Français

appuyer

Italiano

appoggiare

Español

apoyar

Català

sostenir