EMBOLDEN Synonyms: 43 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'embolden' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of embolden are encourage , hearten , and inspirit . While all these words mean "to fill with courage or strength of purpose," embolden implies the giving of courage sufficient to overcome timidity or reluctance. // emboldened by her first success, she tried an even more difficult climb

Q: When might 'encourage' be a better fit than 'embolden'?

While the synonyms encourage and embolden are close in meaning, encourage suggests the raising of one's confidence especially by an external agency. // the teacher's praise encouraged the students to greater efforts

Q: When could 'hearten' be used to replace 'embolden'?

Although the words hearten and embolden have much in common, hearten implies the lifting of dispiritedness or despondency by an infusion of fresh courage or zeal. // a hospital patient heartened by good news

Q: When is 'inspirit' a more appropriate choice than 'embolden'?

The words inspirit and embolden are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, inspirit , somewhat literary, implies instilling life, energy, courage, or vigor into something. // patriots inspirited the people to resist

embolden

verb

im-ˈbōl-dən

Definition of embolden next

as in to inspire

to fill with courage or strength of purpose his poor showing in his first swim meet just emboldened him to train even harder

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How does the verb embolden differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of embolden are encourage, hearten, and inspirit. While all these words mean "to fill with courage or strength of purpose," embolden implies the giving of courage sufficient to overcome timidity or reluctance.

emboldened by her first success, she tried an even more difficult climb

When might encourage be a better fit than embolden?

While the synonyms encourage and embolden are close in meaning, encourage suggests the raising of one's confidence especially by an external agency.

the teacher's praise encouraged the students to greater efforts

When could hearten be used to replace embolden?

Although the words hearten and embolden have much in common, hearten implies the lifting of dispiritedness or despondency by an infusion of fresh courage or zeal.

a hospital patient heartened by good news

When is inspirit a more appropriate choice than embolden?

The words inspirit and embolden are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, inspirit, somewhat literary, implies instilling life, energy, courage, or vigor into something.

patriots inspirited the people to resist

Examples Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of embolden During Trump’s first term, Antifa rose to new prominence fighting street brawls with far-right extremist groups emboldened by Trump’s election and rhetoric. —

Will Carless, USA TODAY, 5 Jan. 2025 But the judges disagreed with the agency’s interpretation of how ISPs could be classified and were emboldened by the recent downfall of Chevron deference, a legal doctrine that instructed courts to defer to regulatory agencies in many cases. —

Lauren Feiner, The Verge, 2 Jan. 2025 Moreover, there are fears that Sunni extremist groups in Iran’s restive southern regions, such as those populated by Arab and Baluchi groups, may be emboldened by the victory of like-minded groups in Syria, risking further unrest at a time when the government is increasingly vulnerable. —

Hamidreza Azizi, Foreign Affairs, 23 Dec. 2024 The president-elect says Biden is responsible for the wars in Gaza and Ukraine, arguing that policies under his watch led to Hamas and Russia becoming emboldened. —

Aamer Madhani and Zeke Miller, Los Angeles Times, 11 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for embolden