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
Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 9 Feb. 2025
Rest your forearms on the ground on each side of the bolster.
—Aubrey Bailey, Pt, Dpt, Cht, Verywell Health, 24 Jan. 2025
Jordan Smith, SELF, 7 Feb. 2025
Even more alarmingly, his recent hateful rhetoric has begun to embolden white supremacists who’ve recently been spreading bigoted hate speech — and using West’s name to bolster their arguments.
—Aja Romano, Vox, 7 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for bolster 
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Noun
Taking a cue from the drapery and matching bolster, Mackin splashed the trim in Farrow & Ball's French Gray (No. 18) to standout against walls painted in Sherwin-Williams' Alabaster.
—Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 9 Feb. 2025
Rest your forearms on the ground on each side of the bolster.
—Aubrey Bailey, Pt, Dpt, Cht, Verywell Health, 24 Jan. 2025
Verb
And regular activity levels can help bolster sleep quality, which can improve focus during performances too, McMillian says.
—Jordan Smith, SELF, 7 Feb. 2025
Even more alarmingly, his recent hateful rhetoric has begun to embolden white supremacists who’ve recently been spreading bigoted hate speech — and using West’s name to bolster their arguments.
—Aja Romano, Vox, 7 Feb. 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 21 Feb. 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
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