bolster
gb/bˈoʊlstɚ/ us/bˈoʊlstɚ/
B2
English
~ 9400
erősít, fellendít, megtámaszt, kitámaszt, hengerpárna
VERB
B2
1
Usage pattern:
to bolster [something]
The government announced new measures to bolster the struggling economy.
A kormány új intézkedéseket jelentett be a nehézségekkel küzdő gazdaság fellendítésére.
The coach’s speech helped bolster the team’s confidence before the final match.
Az edző beszéde segített erősíteni a csapat önbizalmát a döntő előtt.
Additional data from recent studies bolsters the argument for stricter safety rules.
The company hired extra staff to bolster customer support during the holiday season.
International backing bolstered her position in the trade negotiations.
Learner examples
His kind words bolstered her confidence.
Kedves szavai erősítették az önbizalmát.
Lower prices helped bolster sales last month.
Az alacsonyabb árak segítettek fellendíteni az eladásokat a múlt hónapban.
New evidence bolstered the police report.
The teacher used games to bolster student interest.
Strong online reviews bolstered the restaurant’s reputation.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use "bolster" where a simpler verb like "help" or "make" is more natural in everyday speech (e.g., saying *"This will bolster you learn"* instead of "This will help you learn"). Also, they may say *"bolster to"* something; the verb is normally transitive with a direct object: "bolster confidence", not "bolster to confidence".
Meaning
to strengthen or support something
Collocations
bolster confidence
|bolster support
|bolster the economy
|bolster an argument
|bolster morale
|bolster sales
Synonyms
strengthen (General and common; does not always carry the idea of giving extra support in a weak area the way "bolster" often does.)
|
reinforce (Slightly more technical; often used for arguments, structures, or rules; close in tone to "bolster".)
|
boost (More informal and energetic; often used with business, energy, or mood; less formal than "bolster".)
Antonyms
undermine (Describes actions that secretly or gradually make something weaker, the opposite of bolstering it.)
|
weaken (General opposite: to make something less strong or effective instead of stronger.)
Themes
business
|politics
|emotions
|communication
|work
|core_vocabulary
Definition
to make something stronger or better by giving extra help, support, or encouragement
To make something stronger, more effective, or more likely to succeed, especially by providing extra support, evidence, or encouragement.
VERB
C1
2
megtámaszt
B1
kitámaszt
B2
Usage pattern:
to bolster [something] with [something]
She bolstered his head with an extra pillow so he could sit up comfortably.
Egy plusz párnával megtámasztotta a fejét, hogy kényelmesen fel tudjon ülni.
The workers bolstered the sagging beam with temporary wooden supports.
A munkások ideiglenes fatámaszokkal támasztották meg a megereszkedett gerendát.
He bolstered the door with a chair to keep it from swinging open in the wind.
They bolstered the fragile sculpture with foam blocks during transport.
She sat in bed, bolstered by cushions as she read.
Learner examples
He bolstered her back with a big pillow.
Egy nagy párnával támasztotta meg a hátát.
They bolstered the table with a block of wood.
Egy fadarabbal kitámasztották az asztalt.
She bolstered his head so he could drink.
The wall was bolstered with heavy stones.
I bolstered my laptop with books under it.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this physical sense with the more common abstract sense and use it in odd contexts, for example *"The table bolstered my mood"*. For physical support, there is usually a clear object doing the supporting (pillows, blocks, wood) and a physical thing being supported.
Meaning
to prop up or support physically
Collocations
bolster his head
|bolster her back
|bolster the wall
|bolstered by pillows
|bolster the base
|bolster the structure
Synonyms
prop up (Very close in meaning; slightly more informal and more common in everyday speech.)
|
support (More general; does not always imply adding an extra object underneath or behind.)
Antonyms
knock down (To cause something to fall or collapse, the opposite of holding it up.)
|
remove support (General opposite action: taking away the thing that keeps an object in place.)
Themes
daily life
|home
|construction
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
to put something under or behind an object or person to support it and keep it in a good position
To support or prop something up from below, often using a cushion, block, or other object, so that it stays steady or in a better position.
NOUN
C1
3
hengerpárna
B2
Usage pattern:
a bolster for [body part]
She placed a small bolster under her knees to ease the pressure on her back.
Egy kis hengerpárnát tett a térde alá, hogy enyhítse a hátára nehezedő nyomást.
The sofa came with two matching bolsters for extra arm support.
A kanapéhoz két hozzá illő hengerpárna is járt a kar kényelmes alátámasztásához.
Yoga students often use a firm bolster to support their spine in restorative poses.
He slept with a long bolster tucked against his side.
A decorative bolster lay across the head of the bed.
Learner examples
She put a bolster under her neck.
Hengerpárnát tett a nyaka alá.
There is a long bolster on the bed.
Van egy hosszú hengerpárna az ágyon.
He hugs a bolster when he sleeps.
The yoga teacher gave each student a bolster.
I bought a new bolster for my back.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes think "bolster" as a noun can mean any kind of support, not specifically a long cushion. In general English, the noun mostly refers to this special type of cushion, especially in home, furniture, or yoga contexts.
Meaning
a long cushion used for support
Collocations
neck bolster
|bolster pillow
|round bolster
|a firm bolster
|a decorative bolster
|a bed bolster
Synonyms
body pillow (Similar idea of a long pillow, but in modern use it is often larger and used for full-body support when sleeping.)
|
support cushion (Descriptive phrase emphasizing the function; not a fixed lexical synonym.)
Antonyms
hard surface (Refers to lying or sitting without any cushion or soft support, the practical opposite situation of using a bolster.)
Themes
home
|daily life
|health
|housing
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
a long narrow pillow or cushion that you use to support your body when you sit or lie down
A long, narrow pillow or cushion, often placed under other pillows or used along the back or side of the body to provide support while sitting or lying.
Grammar
Dictionary form
bolster
IPA
GB/bˈoʊlstɚ/
US/bˈoʊlstɚ/
Syllables & stress
bol - ster (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (bol)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: bolster
- Plural: bolsters
Verb
- Base: bolster
- 3rd Person Singular: bolsters
- Present Participle: bolstering
- Past: bolstered
Word family
Forms
bolsters
noun
bolstering
verb
bolstered
verb
Expressions
bolster an argument
1/bˈoʊlstɚ ən ˈɑɹɡjəmənt/
fixed phrase
to strengthen an argument
to make your opinion or point of view stronger by giving more reasons, facts, or examples
Examples
- She used several case studies to bolster her argument.
- New research findings bolster the argument for investing in early education.
- To bolster his argument, he cited recent court decisions.
bolster morale
1/bˈoʊlstɚ mɚˈæl/
fixed phrase
to increase group morale
to make a group of people feel more positive, hopeful, and ready to work or continue
Examples
- The manager organized a team lunch to bolster morale after the tough quarter.
- Small rewards can help bolster morale in the workplace.
- Leaders visited the front lines to bolster soldiers’ morale.
bolster someone's confidence
1/bˈoʊlstɚ sˈʌmwˌʌnz kˈɑnfədəns/
fixed phrase
to increase a person's confidence
to make someone feel more sure of themselves or less worried by giving support or encouragement
Examples
- Passing the exam really bolstered his confidence.
- Her mentor’s feedback bolstered her confidence before the job interview.
- Small early successes can bolster a child’s confidence in school.
bolster support
1/bˈoʊlstɚ səpˈɔɹt/
fixed phrase
to increase support for something
to make more people support a person, group, or idea, or to make their support stronger
Examples
- The campaign focused on bolstering support among younger voters.
- The new policy is likely to bolster support for the president.
- They held community events to bolster support for the project.
bolster the case for
1/bˈoʊlstɚ ðə kˈeɪs fɚ/
fixed phrase
to strengthen the case for something
to add support or reasons that make an action, idea, or decision seem more right or necessary
Examples
- Recent data bolster the case for stricter environmental regulations.
- The report bolsters the case for investing in public transport.
- These results bolster the case for changing the current policy.
bolster the economy
1/bˈoʊlstɚ ðə ɪkˈɑnəmi/
fixed phrase
to strengthen an economy
to help a country’s or region’s economy become stronger, for example by increasing jobs, trade, or spending
Examples
- The tax cuts are intended to bolster the economy during the slowdown.
- Tourism has helped bolster the local economy over the past decade.
- Investing in green technology could bolster the economy and create new jobs.
bolster up
1/bˈoʊlstɚ ˈʌp/
phrasal verb
to give extra support or strength
to support or improve something or someone more, often when it is weak or in trouble
Examples
- The company brought in a consultant to bolster up its marketing team.
- They used steel bars to bolster up the old bridge.
- Extra volunteers were called in to bolster up the emergency response effort.