bolstered: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Formal to Neutral
Quick answer
What does “bolstered” mean?
To support, strengthen, or reinforce something, often by adding material, evidence, or emotional encouragement.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To support, strengthen, or reinforce something, often by adding material, evidence, or emotional encouragement.
To make a situation, argument, or feeling stronger or more effective; to prop up or buttress physically or figuratively.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Spelling is consistent.
Connotations
Slightly more formal in both varieties compared to simpler synonyms like 'supported' or 'strengthened'.
Frequency
Equally common in both formal writing (news, reports, academia).
Grammar
How to Use “bolstered” in a Sentence
NP (Subject) + bolstered + NP (Object)NP (Subject) + was bolstered + by + NP (Agent)NP (Subject) + bolstered + NP (Object) + against + NPVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “bolstered” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The government bolstered the healthcare system with significant funding.
- Their defence was bolstered by the return of the captain.
- She bolstered her argument with several recent studies.
American English
- The president bolstered his case with new economic data.
- Investor confidence was bolstered by the strong earnings report.
- They bolstered the levee with sandbags ahead of the storm.
adverb
British English
- [No standard adverbial form. 'In a bolstered way' is highly unnatural.]
American English
- [No standard adverbial form. Use 'strongly' or 'forcefully' instead.]
adjective
British English
- The team played with a bolstered defence.
- She delivered the speech with bolstered courage.
- A bolstered sense of security followed the new measures.
American English
- The proposal had a bolstered budget for community outreach.
- He faced the challenge with bolstered determination.
- The software update included bolstered security features.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
The company's market share was bolstered by the successful new product launch.
Academic
The researcher's hypothesis was bolstered by the longitudinal data.
Everyday
Her confidence was bolstered by her friends' encouraging words.
Technical
The riverbank was bolstered with gabions to prevent erosion.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “bolstered”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “bolstered”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “bolstered”
- Using it intransitively (e.g., 'His confidence bolstered' is incorrect without 'was').
- Confusing it with 'boosted' in contexts requiring structural support rather than a lift.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Primarily, but it can be neutral (e.g., 'bolstered defences'). It describes making something stronger, regardless of the moral valence of that thing.
'Bolstered' implies a more active, substantial, or crucial reinforcement, often to something weak or under pressure. 'Supported' is more general and can be passive.
Yes, as a participial adjective (e.g., 'a bolstered army', 'with bolstered spirits'). It functions like many past participles (e.g., 'a broken vase').
Yes, a 'bolster' is a long, firm pillow. The verb meaning derives from the idea of providing firm, pillow-like support or padding.
To support, strengthen, or reinforce something, often by adding material, evidence, or emotional encouragement.
Bolstered is usually formal to neutral in register.
Bolstered: in British English it is pronounced /ˈbəʊl.stəd/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈboʊl.stɚd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms specifically with 'bolstered'; the verb 'bolster' appears in phrases like 'to bolster up']”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a BOLSTER (a long, firm pillow) that you put behind your back for SUPPORT. BOLSTERED means something has been given that kind of firm support.
Conceptual Metaphor
SUPPORT IS A PHYSICAL PROP; STRENGTH IS A SOLID STRUCTURE.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'bolstered' LEAST appropriate?