This FluentSlang explainer covers Bolster as it appeared in the NYT Connections hints and answers for June 20, 2026. Use it for the quick meaning, the puzzle trap, and the related same-day clues.
Bolster meaning in this puzzle
Bolster means to support, strengthen, or boost something. When you bolster a plan, an argument, or a friend, you make it stronger and give it more backing. Think of it as adding extra muscle to something that already exists.
Read this clue through the group label endorse, then check whether the other answers point the same way.
Why It Showed Up In Connections
This clue came from the NYT Connections hints and answers for June 20, 2026. In that grid, it pointed toward endorse.
The key is to test the whole group, not just the first meaning that pops into your head.
Why this clue can fool people
The trap was the pillow. Because a bolster is also a cushion, and the puzzle had a “kinds of chairs” group, plenty of players wanted to drag it toward the furniture. That soft, comfy vibe was the bait.
How To Read It Fast
Start with the ordinary meaning of Bolster, then ask whether the puzzle is using it as slang, a phrase, a category label, or a wordplay trick.
If the clue only matches one other answer, keep going. The correct Connections group should make all four answers feel like they belong together.
Quick Examples
Today’s Connections Explainers
These pages are built from the same puzzle, so they are the most relevant next reads.