Definitions

shore up

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bolster v.
fortify v.
hold v.
reinforce v.
support v.
sustain v.
uphold v.

VERB

bolster

Synonyms

STRONGEST

aid boost buoy buttress cushion help maintain reinforce strengthen support sustain

STRONG

assist brace bulwark carry pillow prop stay uphold

WEAK

bear up buck up hold up pick up

Antonyms

STRONGEST

block decrease discourage halt hinder hurt injure let down neglect obstruct stop undermine weaken

WEAK

not support prevent

VERB

fortify

Synonyms

STRONGEST

brace build up buttress consolidate entrench protect reinforce secure step up strengthen

STRONG

bulwark embattle garrison gird prepare prop ready steel support

WEAK

charge up punch up soup up

Antonyms

STRONGEST

harm hurt injure let down let go loosen unfasten weaken

STRONG

neglect

WEAK

decrease discourage dissuade

VERB

hold

Synonyms

STRONGEST

bear carry stay take

STRONG

bolster brace buttress lock prop shoulder sustain underpin uphold

Antonyms

STRONGEST

avoid dodge fail lose refuse

STRONG

unfasten weaken

WEAK

abandon cancel cease desert disbelieve drop forsake halt let go quit release stop

VERB

reinforce

Synonyms

STRONGEST

add to bolster boost build up buttress emphasize enlarge fortify increase stress support underline

STRONG

carry energize harden hype multiply prop stiffen stroke supplement sustain toughen

WEAK

add fuel to fire back up beef up heat up lend a hand pick up pillar prop up punch up soup up stand up for

Antonyms

STRONGEST

decrease diminish discourage hinder hurt lessen let down play down prevent reduce undermine weaken

STRONG

liquefy melt soften

WEAK

subtract take away

VERB

support

Synonyms

STRONGEST

bolster hold reinforce uphold

STRONG

base bear bed bottom brace buttress carry cradle crutch embed found ground mainstay poise prop shore shoulder stand stay strut sustain undergird

WEAK

be a foundation for keep from falling keep up upbear

Antonyms

STRONGEST

undermine weaken

STRONG

drop fall let go refuse

WEAK

contradict disapprove let down neglect oppose reject release

VERB

sustain

Synonyms

STRONGEST

assist bolster buoy continue defend help nurse preserve save

STRONG

aid approve back bankroll bear befriend brace buttress carry comfort confirm convey endorse favor feed foster lug nourish nurture pack prolong prop protract ratify relieve supply support tote transfer transport uphold validate verify

WEAK

go for keep alive keep from falling keep going lend a hand provide for stand by stick up for

Antonyms

STRONGEST

harm hinder hurt obstruct stop

STRONG

abbreviate condemn contradict deny deprive disagree disapprove discourage disprove hold ignore injure invalidate keep let down let go maintain neglect oppose refuse reject shorten starve take trouble veto weaken

WEAK

abstain discontinue halt

VERB

uphold

Synonyms

STRONGEST

advocate confirm defend encourage endorse hold to justify promote side with stand by vindicate

STRONG

aid assist back bolster boost brace buttress carry champion countenance elevate help hoist prop raise rear second sustain uplift upraise

WEAK

back up buoy up hold up one's end pick up stick by stick up for take up upbear uprear

Antonyms

STRONGEST

attack deny oppose protest

STRONG

abandon block decrease depress destroy discourage drop fall halt hinder hurt injure lessen lower neglect obstruct prevent stop undermine

WEAK

weaken

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

shore up

Anthropic tries to shore up investor confidence ahead of blockbuster IPO.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 11, 2026

If he had hoped for that to be sufficient to shore up his authority he was to be swiftly disabused.

From Barron's ● Aug. 5, 2026

The Japanese automaker is aiming to improve its hybrid EV offerings to shore up its car business’s profitability.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 5, 2026

The conflict in the Middle East has given BP a cash boost that it is using to shore up its balance sheet.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 4, 2026

But Penelope longed to shore up her spirits after that humiliating conversation with Lady Constance and the failed pretend-letter to Simon, and so she decided to indulge herself.

From "The Interrupted Tale" by Maryrose Wood

shore up

Example Sentences

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