buttress
To provide physical support to a structure or to strengthen an argument, idea, or system with evidence or additional resources. It implies making something more stable or harder to defeat by adding reinforcement.
Examples
3 of 5The workers had to buttress the basement walls after the heavy rains caused the ground to shift.
The workers had to reinforce the basement walls after the heavy rains caused the ground to shift.
The legal team sought expert testimony to buttress their claims of professional negligence.
The legal team sought expert testimony to strengthen their claims of professional negligence.
I'm going to need a few more facts to buttress my excuse for being late to the party.
I'm going to need a few more facts to support my excuse for being late to the party.
Synonyms
Word Family
Memory Tip
Think of a 'flying buttress' on a large cathedral. It reaches out like an arm to hold the wall up so it doesn't fall down.
Quick Quiz
The scientist presented several peer-reviewed studies to ________ his controversial hypothesis.
Correct!
The correct answer is: buttress
Examples
The workers had to buttress the basement walls after the heavy rains caused the ground to shift.
everydayThe workers had to reinforce the basement walls after the heavy rains caused the ground to shift.
The legal team sought expert testimony to buttress their claims of professional negligence.
formalThe legal team sought expert testimony to strengthen their claims of professional negligence.
I'm going to need a few more facts to buttress my excuse for being late to the party.
informalI'm going to need a few more facts to support my excuse for being late to the party.
In her dissertation, she uses longitudinal data to buttress the theory that early intervention improves literacy.
academicIn her dissertation, she uses longitudinal data to support the theory that early intervention improves literacy.
The CEO decided to buttress the company's market position by acquiring two smaller competitors.
businessThe CEO decided to reinforce the company's market position by acquiring two smaller competitors.
Synonyms
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
buttress against
to provide protection or support against an external force
flying buttress
a specific architectural support common in Gothic churches
buttress up
to give temporary or additional support to something failing
Often Confused With
While similar, 'bolster' is often used for morale or confidence, whereas 'buttress' implies a more rigid, structural, or evidentiary support.
Usage Notes
Use 'buttress' when you want to describe a formal or academic way of making a case stronger. It is more sophisticated than 'help' or 'support'.
Common Mistakes
Learners often think 'buttress' is only for physical buildings; however, its most common use in modern English is metaphorical, referring to arguments and theories.
Memory Tip
Think of a 'flying buttress' on a large cathedral. It reaches out like an arm to hold the wall up so it doesn't fall down.
Word Origin
Derived from the Old French 'boter', meaning 'to thrust or strike against', originally referring to the way a support pushes against a wall.
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
The term is deeply rooted in European architectural history, specifically the Gothic period, where buttresses allowed for taller walls and larger windows.
Quick Quiz
The scientist presented several peer-reviewed studies to ________ his controversial hypothesis.
Correct!
The correct answer is: buttress
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