GRE vocabulary
bolster
to support, strengthen, or reinforce
Word origin: From Old English bolster, a cushion or support.
Usage & nuance
Using “bolster” well
Bolster means to prop up or strengthen, often an argument, claim, or morale. The image is of a bolster cushion supporting from beneath.
Keep going
See all More GRE words starting with B
bacchanalian
marked by riotous, unrestrained revelry and drunken festivity
badger
to pester or harass someone persistently
badinage
light, playful, and witty banter
baffle
to confuse or perplex thoroughly
baleful
threatening harm or menacing in a sinister way
balk
to hesitate or refuse to proceed with something
balloon
to swell or puff out, or to increase rapidly in amount or size
banal
lacking originality and so dull or commonplace
Common questions
Questions about “bolster”
Bolster (verb) means to support, strengthen, or reinforce
Here is bolster used in an example sentence: "Fresh evidence bolstered the prosecution's case." Another example: "Fresh survey data did much to bolster the researcher's otherwise contested hypothesis."
Common synonyms for bolster include reinforce, buttress, shore up, fortify.
Antonyms of bolster include undermine, weaken.
Bolster clusters with reinforce, buttress, shore up, and fortify. Its antonyms undermine and weaken are frequent opposite-context answers in Text Completion.
Yes. Bolster is a high-frequency GRE word, so it is worth prioritising as you build your vocabulary.
Learn words the way the GRE tests them.
Vocabulary sticks when you meet it in real sentences. Practise these words inside text completion and sentence equivalence questions.