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
Jessica Lynch, Billboard, 14 Jan. 2025
With more than 170 million users in the U.S., TikTok could bolster X’s efforts to attract advertisers.
—Jason Ma, Fortune Asia, 14 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for bolster 
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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
Though the video revealed no further details, fans immediately began speculating about a possible Cowboy Carter tour, a theory bolstered when Live Nation shared the teaser on its social media channels.
—Jessica Lynch, Billboard, 14 Jan. 2025
With more than 170 million users in the U.S., TikTok could bolster X’s efforts to attract advertisers.
—Jason Ma, Fortune Asia, 14 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 18 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
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