What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
bolster
Example
We need to bolster our team's morale by recognizing their hard work. [bolster: verb]
Example
The company decided to bolster their marketing campaign with additional funding. [bolster: verb]
reinforce
Example
The construction workers reinforced the building's foundation to withstand earthquakes. [reinforced: past tense]
Example
Positive feedback can reinforce good behavior in children. [reinforce: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Reinforce is more commonly used than bolster in everyday language. Reinforce is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while bolster is less common and tends to be used in specific situations where support or enhancement is emphasized.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between bolster and reinforce?
Both bolster and reinforce can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, bolster may have a slightly more casual or informal tone, while reinforce can be used in a broader range of formality levels.
