bolster-v; 2 Senses

Sense Number 1: strengthen through encouragement or support

Commentary: Includes: BOLSTER UP

Examples:
Visitors bolstered the patient's morale.
More money is needed to bolster the industry.
She tried to bolster my confidence by telling me that I had a special talent.
They need to do something to bolster their image.
The IT and nanotechnology parks will bolster up each other.

Mappings:
VerbNet: NP
FrameNet: NP
PropBank: bolster.01
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 1
WordNet Verb Particle Constructions, Multiword Expressions:
bolster_up 1

Sense Number 2: prop up, keep something raised

Examples:
I've since bought some foam padding to bolster the seat more to my liking.

Mappings:
VerbNet: NP
FrameNet: NP
PropBank: NM
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 2, 3