What does bolstered mean?
Bolstered is the past form of the verb bolster, meaning to strengthen, support, or reinforce something so that it becomes firmer or more secure. The word applies most often to abstract things — confidence, morale, reputations, arguments, economies — as in "record profits bolstered shareholder confidence," but it can also describe literal physical support. Its figurative use carries a connotation of shoring up something that might otherwise sag or fail, which makes it a favorite in journalism, business writing, and political commentary, where it frequently appears in phrases like "bolstered by strong demand" or "bolstered the case for reform." The word derives from the noun bolster, the long cushion placed under pillows on a bed, so its core image is one of firm, underlying support. Precise and slightly elevated in register, it offers writers a vivid alternative to plain words like helped or improved.
verbPast tense and past participle of the verb "bolster": to support, strengthen, or reinforce something, especially an argument, confidence, economy, or position.
- To support or strengthen something abstract, such as confidence, morale, an argument, or an economy.
- To physically support or prop something up.
"Strong export figures bolstered investor confidence throughout the quarter."
"A surge in tourism bolstered the local economy after a difficult year."
"She bolstered her case with data drawn from three independent studies."
Before it meant propping up confidence, a bolster was literally the long pillow you prop yourself up with — English borrowed the pillow's job for the verb.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of bolstered
The verb bolster derives from the noun bolster, a long pillow, which comes from Old English bolster, a word of Germanic origin related to terms meaning a beam or plank — sharing distant ancestry with words such as balk. The verb sense of providing support emerged by extension of the pillow's supporting role, appearing in English by around the 16th century. The past-tense form bolstered follows standard English verb inflection.
Related word forms
How bolstered is actually used
Almost always used transitively and often in formal or journalistic registers, frequently in financial and political reporting. Commonly followed by "by" when naming the source of support.
Easily confused with bolstered
"Shouldered" means bore or carried a burden or responsibility, whereas "bolstered" means supported or reinforced something already in place.