bolster C2+ Topic:Describing Qualities US /ˈboʊlstɚ/ UK /ˈbəʊlstə/ See IPA manual Meanings 1 verb to support or strengthen; a long firm pillow or cushion The new evidence helped bolster the prosecution's case. Thesaurus Synonyms 1 verb · to support or strengthen; a... supportstrengthenreinforcebuttresspropbraceshoreboost ↔ Opposites undermineweakensabotage Word family Derived forms bolsteredbolsteringbolsterer Etymology AI details From Old English bolster ('cushion, pillow'), from Proto-Germanic *bulstraz ('cushion, bolster'), from Proto-Indo-European *bʰelǵʰ- ('to swell'). bolster Old English *bulstraz Proto-Germanic *bʰelǵʰ- Proto-Indo-European View etymology graph -> Topics Describing Qualities Word Formation & Derivatives External links Cambridge Dictionary Wiktionary Google Images # bolster **Type:** Word **Level:** C2+ **Part of speech:** verb **IPA (US):** /ˈboʊlstɚ/ **IPA (UK):** /ˈbəʊlstə/ ## Meanings 1. to support or strengthen; a long firm pillow or cushion ## Examples - The new evidence helped bolster the prosecution's case. ## Synonyms - support - strengthen - reinforce - buttress - prop - brace - shore - boost ## Antonyms - undermine - weaken - sabotage ## Derived Forms - bolstered - bolstering - bolsterer ## Roots and Affixes - Root: bolster - Root: *bulstraz - Root: *bʰelǵʰ- ## Etymology From Old English bolster ('cushion, pillow'), from Proto-Germanic *bulstraz ('cushion, bolster'), from Proto-Indo-European *bʰelǵʰ- ('to swell'). ## AI Etymology Bolster is a verb and noun meaning "to support or strengthen; a long firm pillow or cushion". Historically, it is from Old English bolster ('cushion, pillow'), from Proto-Germanic *bulstraz ('cushion, bolster'), from Proto-Indo-European *bʰelǵʰ- ('to swell'). The historical chain links Old English bolster, Proto-Germanic *bulstraz, and Proto-Indo-European *bʰelǵʰ-. Close English family members include bolstered, bolstering, and bolsterer. ## Topics - Describing Qualities - Word Formation & Derivatives markdown