B2 verb Formal

buttress

/ˈbʌtrəs/

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 5
1

The 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.

2

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.

3

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.

Word Family

Noun
buttress
Verb
buttress
Adjective
buttressed
Related
buttressing
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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

1

The workers had to buttress the basement walls after the heavy rains caused the ground to shift.

everyday

The workers had to reinforce the basement walls after the heavy rains caused the ground to shift.

2

The legal team sought expert testimony to buttress their claims of professional negligence.

formal

The legal team sought expert testimony to strengthen their claims of professional negligence.

3

I'm going to need a few more facts to buttress my excuse for being late to the party.

informal

I'm going to need a few more facts to support my excuse for being late to the party.

4

In her dissertation, she uses longitudinal data to buttress the theory that early intervention improves literacy.

academic

In her dissertation, she uses longitudinal data to support the theory that early intervention improves literacy.

5

The CEO decided to buttress the company's market position by acquiring two smaller competitors.

business

The CEO decided to reinforce the company's market position by acquiring two smaller competitors.

Word Family

Noun
buttress
Verb
buttress
Adjective
buttressed
Related
buttressing

Common Collocations

buttress an argument to provide evidence for a point of view
buttress the economy to take measures to stabilize financial systems
buttress a claim to provide proof for an assertion
buttress a wall to physically reinforce a vertical structure
buttress support to increase the amount of backing for a cause

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

buttress vs bolster

While similar, 'bolster' is often used for morale or confidence, whereas 'buttress' implies a more rigid, structural, or evidentiary support.

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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

transitive verb (requires a direct object) regular verb: buttressed (past), buttressing (present participle)
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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

Related Words

presolvful

C1

A specialized noun referring to a preliminary batch of information or the initial capacity required to begin resolving a complex issue. It describes the state of having gathered enough preparatory elements to initiate a formal solution process.

dephotoation

C1

Describes the intentional removal or degradation of photographic qualities and realistic details to achieve a stylized or abstract visual effect. It is primarily used in digital art and media theory to define a shift away from high-fidelity realism.

semiprobine

C1

To conduct a preliminary or partial investigation into a system, process, or subject to assess initial conditions or feasibility. It is typically used in technical or analytical contexts to describe a non-exhaustive initial scan performed before committing to a full-scale inquiry.

bivenship

C1

Pertaining to the legal framework or status derived from the Bivens v. Six Unknown Named Agents precedent, which allows individuals to sue federal officials for constitutional violations. It describes the specific remedial and procedural characteristics of such legal actions within the federal court system.

monoultimive

C1

Describes the single, final element or unique terminal point in a specific sequence or process. It is used to emphasize that there is only one concluding step or outcome possible in a given logical or physical progression.

hypersancttion

C1

A hypersancttion refers to an exceptionally severe, multi-layered, or totalizing penalty imposed by an authority or governing body. It describes a level of punishment or restriction that goes far beyond standard disciplinary measures, often aiming to completely isolate the target economically or socially.

informate

C1

A term referring to the information or data automatically generated by a computerized process, which provides visibility into the underlying activities of an organization. Unlike simple automation, which merely replaces human labor, this concept focuses on the capacity of technology to translate processes into readable information for analysis.

intrajudcy

C1

To conduct an internal evaluation or legal assessment within an organization or specific body to resolve a conflict or issue before it is moved to an external authority. This verb describes the process of deliberate internal adjudication used to maintain control over institutional standards.

unifacion

C1

Unification is the process of combining or merging separate parts, organizations, or countries into a single, cohesive whole. It refers to the structural or conceptual act of creating a unified entity from diverse components.

hyperclaudal

C1

Describing a state of extreme closure, excessive isolation, or severe restriction within a system or structure. It is frequently used in technical, theoretical, or test-specific contexts to denote a high degree of impenetrability that prevents external interaction or influence.

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