bolster

/ˈboʊlstər/

/ˈbʌʊlstə/

Other forms: bolstered; bolstering; bolsters

When you cheer up a friend who's feeling down, you bolster them. To bolster is to offer support or strengthen.

A bolster is also the name of a long pillow you might use to make your back feel better. And the two uses are not dissimilar. When you bolster your friends, you support them and prop them up, just like the pillow does for your back. When you're trying to bolster your credibility, you find people and/or documents that support you or your view. Bolster efforts to learn this word!

Definitions of bolster

1. verb

   support and strengthen
   “bolster morale”

   synonyms: bolster up

   type of:

   reenforce, reinforce

   make stronger
2. verb

   prop up with a pillow or bolster
   type of:

   prop, prop up, shore, shore up

   support by placing against something solid or rigid
3. verb

   add padding to
   synonyms: pad

   type of:

   fill, fill up, make full

   make full, also in a metaphorical sense
4. noun

   a pillow that is often put across a bed underneath the regular pillows
   synonyms: long pillow

   type of:

   pillow

   a cushion to support the head of a sleeping person