1
: a long pillow or cushion
2
: a structural part designed to eliminate friction or provide support or bearing (see bearing sense 5)
Synonyms
Examples of bolster in a Sentence
Verb
She came with me to bolster my confidence.
a convincing argument that was bolstered by the speaker's reputation
She is thinking of ways to bolster her career.
Recent Examples on the Web
Kristen Baldwin, EW.com, 7 Jan. 2025
The braided side bolsters can also be reshaped to fit around a dog’s body to be even more comforting.
—Madison Yauger, Peoplemag, 1 Aug. 2024
Keith Caulfield, Billboard, 26 Jan. 2025
In this new trade scenario, the Rockets add a former first-round pick to their rotation to bolster their chances out in the Western Conference.
—Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 25 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for bolster 
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.
Noun
Cherry titrates Dylan’s outie with notes of resignation and resentment, and Turturro bolsters outside Irv — a lonely artist — with genial warmth.
—Kristen Baldwin, EW.com, 7 Jan. 2025
The braided side bolsters can also be reshaped to fit around a dog’s body to be even more comforting.
—Madison Yauger, Peoplemag, 1 Aug. 2024
Verb
The set’s sales were bolstered by its availability across six vinyl variants, a CD, digital download album and cassette tape.
—Keith Caulfield, Billboard, 26 Jan. 2025
In this new trade scenario, the Rockets add a former first-round pick to their rotation to bolster their chances out in the Western Conference.
—Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 25 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for bolster
Dictionary Entries Near bolster
Cite this Entry
“Bolster.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bolster. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
bolster
1 of 2 noun
bol·ster
ˈbōl-stər 
1
: a long pillow or cushion
2
: a structural part designed to eliminate friction or provide support
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share