bolster — to support or strengthen; to improve or encourage
Part of speech: VERB
Definition: to support or strengthen; to improve or encourage
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈboʊlstər/
Example Sentences
- The coach's pep talk bolstered the team's spirits before the championship game.
- She tried to bolster her argument with fake statistics, but everyone saw through it.
- The government announced new policies to bolster the struggling tourism industry.
bolster
VERB[/ˈboʊlstər/]
to support or strengthen; to improve or encourage
The general's stirring speech helped bolster the weary soldiers' courage before battle.
Bowl-stir the confidence soup to bolster everyone's spirits!
The pollster's data helps bolster trust, while the guard checks his holster!
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
From Old English 'bolster,' derived from Proto-Germanic *bolstraz, related to Old Norse 'bolstr' meaning a cushion or pillow. The sense evolved from a physical support (cushion) to a metaphorical one (to support or strengthen).
Breakdown
bolster (noun: a long pillow or cushion) → bolster (verb: to support/strengthen). The word cannot be further decomposed into productive morphemes in modern English, as it is a root word from Germanic origins.
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“The coach's pep talk bolstered the team's spirits before the championship game.”
“She tried to bolster her argument with fake statistics, but everyone saw through it.”
“The government announced new policies to bolster the struggling tourism industry.”
“He bought expensive workout gear to bolster his motivation to exercise, but it's still gathering dust.”
📚Related Words
Synonyms
Antonyms
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