MEANING
1. To make something more secure, convincing, or capable.
2. A long, firm pillow used for support.
Use it for
Words that belong together
- bolster confidence
- bolster an argument
On the page
The independent review bolstered confidence in the findings.
Nearby words
Opposite meanings
Word forms
- Base
- bolster
- Past tense
- bolstered
- Past participle
- bolstered
- Present participle
- bolstering
Full tense & aspect guide
- Present
- bolster
- Present continuous
- am/is/are bolstering
- Present perfect
- have/has bolstered
- Present perfect continuous
- have/has been bolstering
- Past
- bolstered
- Past continuous
- was/were bolstering
- Past perfect
- had bolstered
- Past perfect continuous
- had been bolstering
- Future
- will bolster
- Future continuous
- will be bolstering
- Future perfect
- will have bolstered
- Future perfect continuous
- will have been bolstering
Choose the auxiliary that agrees with your subject. These are constructions of one word, not separate entries.
Usage notes
Primary category: academic / formal. Forms: bolster; bolsters; bolstered; bolstered; bolstering. Noun singular bolster; plural bolsters. Legacy lexical fields mirror sense 1 only. Use numbered sense fields for all meanings. Established modern English lexical item. No separate regional spelling or grammatical inflection entry. Writing functions: claim, evidence, interpretation. Commonness: moderately common. Third-person singular: bolsters.
Practice this word in a sentenceYour margin notes
Keep a thought for later. Sign in to save privately.