The difference between Bolster and Reinforce

When used as verbs, bolster means to brace, reinforce, secure, or support, whereas reinforce means to strengthen, especially by addition or augmentation.


Bolster is also noun with the meaning: a large cushion or pillow.

check bellow for the other definitions of Bolster and Reinforce

  1. Bolster as a noun:

    A large cushion or pillow.

  2. Bolster as a noun:

    A pad, quilt, or anything used to hinder pressure, support part of the body, or make a bandage sit easy upon a wounded part; a compress.

  3. Bolster as a noun (vehicles, agriculture):

    A small spacer located on top of the axle of horse-drawn wagons that gives the front wheels enough clearance to turn.

  4. Bolster as a noun:

    A short, horizontal structural timber between a post and a beam for enlarging the bearing area of the post and/or reducing the span of the beam.

    Examples:

    "synonyms cross-head pillow"

  5. Bolster as a noun:

    A beam in the middle of a railway truck, supporting the body of the car.

  6. Bolster as a noun:

    The perforated plate in a punching machine on which anything rests when being punched.

  7. Bolster as a noun:

    The part of a knife blade that abuts upon the end of the handle.

  8. Bolster as a noun:

    The metallic end of a pocketknife handle.

  9. Bolster as a noun (architecture):

    The rolls forming the ends or sides of the Ionic capital.

    Examples:

    "rfquotek G. Francis"

  10. Bolster as a noun (military, historical):

    A block of wood on the carriage of a siege gun, upon which the breech of the gun rests when arranged for transportation.

  1. Bolster as a verb (transitive, often, figurative):

    To brace, reinforce, secure, or support.

  1. Reinforce as a verb (transitive):

    To strengthen, especially by addition or augmentation.

    Examples:

    "He reinforced the handle with a metal rod and a bit of tape."

  2. Reinforce as a verb (transitive):

    To emphasize or review.

    Examples:

    "The right homework will reinforce and complement the lesson!"

  3. Reinforce as a verb (transitive):

    To encourage (a behavior or idea) through repeated stimulus.

    Examples:

    "Advertising for fast food can reinforce unhealthy dietary tendencies."