bolster
3 synonyms and 1 antonym for bolster, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A long cylindrical pillow or cushion.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
bolster up
long pillow
Synonyms by Meaning
1. noun
A long cylindrical pillow or cushion.
“She propped a bolster behind her back while reading in bed.”
How to use bolster
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
bolster confidence
bolster support
bolster an argument
Etymology
From Old English bolster ("pillow"), from a Germanic root shared with German Polster and Swedish bolster.
Full origin of bolster →Frequently asked questions
What does “bolster” mean?
The word “bolster” means a long cylindrical pillow or cushion. In plain terms, as a noun, a long pillow; as a verb, to strengthen or back something up.
How do you pronounce “bolster”?
“Bolster” is pronounced BOLS-tuh (/ˈboʊlstɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “bolster” in a sentence?
Here is “bolster” used in a sentence: “She propped a bolster behind her back while reading in bed.”
What part of speech is “bolster”?
Depending on how it is used, “bolster” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “bolster” come from?
The word “bolster” comes from Old English. From Old English bolster ("pillow"), from a Germanic root shared with German Polster and Swedish bolster.
Is “bolster” a common word?
“Bolster” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “bolster” have?
“Bolster” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a long cylindrical pillow or cushion.
