Puzzle help

I'm working a puzzle that doesn't have the answers in the back. I tried googling for the answer, but it wasn't any help. So, what word means to strengthen or support. It's a seven-letter word, so buttress won't work, which is what I originally thought it would be. Any help is much appreciated. It's driving me crazy!

Here's my list:
1. bolster
2. budgets
3. finance
4. comfort
5. assists
6. fortify
I immediately thought of "financial", but that word won't fit your criteria. Maybe "financial" words will help.

I work puzzles all the time to keep my mind going. Try one of these: cushion, propped, carried, sustain, or endured.

Katie said:

I immediately thought of "financial", but that word won't fit your criteria. Maybe "financial" words will help.

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If you're taking that route try: backing, subsidy, donated, or funding.

Katie said:

6. fortify

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Fortify for the win! Thank you so much. That was truly driving me crazy. Some of the circled letters formed a sentence at the bottom and fortify works perfectly.

@Henderson, you also offered excellent guesses! I appreciate it! Give me a holler if you're ever stuck on a puzzle in the future, and maybe I can help.

The Big Cowhuna said:

@Henderson, you also offered excellent guesses! I appreciate it! Give me a holler if you're ever stuck on a puzzle in the future, and maybe I can help.

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Thanks for the offer. I'll send you a message if I'm ever stuck. I'm glad that you found the correct answer to your puzzle. Things like that drive me crazy too.