noun

bolster

/ˈboʊlstər/ · say it: BOLE·ster

to support or strengthen

In Actions & Behavior

In more detail

1. (noun) a long pillow or cushion used to support the body

2. (verb) to strengthen or support something; to make something more effective or confident

Examples

1. She placed a bolster behind her back for comfort.
2. The new evidence bolstered the prosecutor's case against the defendant.

How to use bolster

As a verb, 'bolster' means to make something stronger or more secure, often used when describing efforts to increase confidence, support, or effectiveness in business, politics, or personal contexts. It carries a sense of deliberate action to prop up or reinforce. The noun (a cushion-shaped pillow) is less commonly used in modern English but appears in descriptions of furniture and bedroom items.

Common phrases

bolster confidence
bolster support
bolster the economy
bolster one's position
bolster morale

Synonyms

strengthen · reinforce · support · buttress · fortify

Opposites

weaken · undermine · diminish

Word family

bolstered · bolstering

A common mistake

Learners sometimes confuse 'bolster' with 'foster' or overuse it in casual speech where 'help' or 'boost' would be more natural and simpler.

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