bolster

[ bohl-ster ]

/ ˈboʊl stər /

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See synonyms for: bolster / bolstered / bolstering on Thesaurus.com

noun

a long, often cylindrical, cushion or pillow for a bed, sofa, etc.

anything resembling this in form or in use as a support.

any pillow, cushion, or pad.

Nautical.

Also called bolster plate . a circular casting on the side of a vessel, through which an anchor chain passes.
a timber used as a temporary support.
a beam for holding lines or rigging without chafing.
a bag filled with buoyant material, fitted into a small boat.

Metalworking. an anvillike support for the lower die of a drop forge.

Masonry.

a timber or the like connecting two ribs of a centering.
a chisel with a blade splayed toward the edge, used for cutting bricks.

Carpentry. a horizontal timber on a post for lessening the free span of a beam.

a structural member on which one end of a bridge truss rests.

verb (used with object)

to support with or as with a pillow or cushion.

to add to, support, or uphold (sometimes followed by up): They bolstered their morale by singing. He bolstered up his claim with new evidence.

SYNONYMS FOR bolster

10 strengthen, sustain, aid, reinforce, fortify.

See synonyms for bolster on Thesaurus.com

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Origin of bolster

before 1000; Middle English bolstre (noun), Old English bolster; cognate with Old Norse bolstr,Dutch bolster,German Polster

synonym study for bolster

1. See cushion.

OTHER WORDS FROM bolster

bol·ster·er, nounun·bol·ster, verb (used with object)un·bol·stered, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021

Example sentences from the Web for bolster

Many advocates want those changed, adjusted, or bolstered, and the only way to do that is to open up the bill and reauthorize it.
To GOP Congress, as Usual, It’s Welfare on the Chopping Block|Monica Potts|December 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Bolstered by the momentum of Savage, Masters continued to accumulate up-and-coming conservative talent.
The Godfather of Right-Wing Radio|Caitlin Dickson|November 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It needs re-bolstered, strong voices at the table (Kathy Griffin, pretty please), or it will sink.
Don’t Remember Barbara Walters for ‘The View’|Tim Teeman|April 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST
And they were responsive, and that only bolstered my brainstorming sessions, so the next time I came in with more ideas.
Interview: Kristen Bell, Voiceover Queen, On ‘Frozen,’ ‘Veronica Mars,’ & More|Andrew Romano|December 18, 2013|DAILY BEAST

Traditional employment sectors like these have bolstered urban economies in Houston, Oklahoma City, Dallas-Ft.
The Revolt Against Urban Gentry|Joel Kotkin|November 30, 2013|DAILY BEAST
When she was partially recovered, it was curious to see her sitting bolstered up in bed, with so many pets around her.
Minnie's Pet Dog|Madeline Leslie
The loan being thus bolstered up rose to four and a half per cent premium.
The Boys of '61|Charles Carleton Coffin.
Having come to this conclusion in the way indicated, they then bolstered it up with arguments to justify it positively.
A History of Mediaeval Jewish Philosophy|Isaac Husik
She was almost in tears, from her fright; yet still bolstered her courage with the thought: "For my father and mother!"
Dorothy|Evelyn Raymond
Elinor was bolstered up in bed, looking like a wan, despairing woman of fifty, instead of a girl of twenty-two.
Nelly's First Schooldays|Josephine Franklin

British Dictionary definitions for bolster

bolster

/ (ˈbəʊlstə) /

verb (tr)

(often foll by up) to support or reinforce; strengthento bolster morale

to prop up with a pillow or cushion

to add padding toto bolster a dress

noun

a long narrow pillow or cushion

any pad or padded support

architect a short horizontal length of timber fixed to the top of a post to increase the bearing area and reduce the span of the supported beam

a cold chisel having a broad blade splayed towards the cutting edge, used for cutting stone slabs, etc

Derived forms of bolster

bolsterer, nounbolstering, noun, adjective

Word Origin for bolster

Old English bolster; related to Old Norse bolstr, Old High German bolstar, Dutch bulster

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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