as in encouraging
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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Recent Examples of emboldening
Both pledge to end negotiations, blaming Petro’s approach for weakening the state and emboldening armed groups.
—
Catherine Ellis, Miami Herald, 28 May 2026
Critics say those decisions are emboldening the administration to ignore judges' orders.
—ABC News, 2 May 2026
Critics say those decisions are emboldening the administration to ignore judges’ orders.
—Sudhin Thanawala, Los Angeles Times, 2 May 2026
The city’s failure to investigate or correct the conduct has only resulted in emboldening it, the suit said.
—Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 23 Jan. 2026
Those abroad fear the information blackout is emboldening hard-liners within Iran’s security services to launch a violent crackdown.
—Julia Nikhinson, Chicago Tribune, 12 Jan. 2026
This is thanks to Venus and Mars working together in your sensible 6th house, emboldening you to streamline routines and add creative flair to useful habits.
—Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 7 Jan. 2026
But experts worry this audacious undertaking risks fraying the last remaining threads of international norms, emboldening autocracies into new acts of aggression without fear of consequences.
—Charlie Campbell, Time, 5 Jan. 2026
But those tactics seem to have backfired, emboldening those who were skeptical of the new map proposal.
—Jared Gans, The Hill, 15 Dec. 2025
Catherine Ellis, Miami Herald, 28 May 2026
Critics say those decisions are emboldening the administration to ignore judges' orders.
—ABC News, 2 May 2026
Critics say those decisions are emboldening the administration to ignore judges’ orders.
—Sudhin Thanawala, Los Angeles Times, 2 May 2026
The city’s failure to investigate or correct the conduct has only resulted in emboldening it, the suit said.
—Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 23 Jan. 2026
Those abroad fear the information blackout is emboldening hard-liners within Iran’s security services to launch a violent crackdown.
—Julia Nikhinson, Chicago Tribune, 12 Jan. 2026
This is thanks to Venus and Mars working together in your sensible 6th house, emboldening you to streamline routines and add creative flair to useful habits.
—Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 7 Jan. 2026
But experts worry this audacious undertaking risks fraying the last remaining threads of international norms, emboldening autocracies into new acts of aggression without fear of consequences.
—Charlie Campbell, Time, 5 Jan. 2026
But those tactics seem to have backfired, emboldening those who were skeptical of the new map proposal.
—Jared Gans, The Hill, 15 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for emboldening
Verb
-
That is why some of the city’s most promising ideas involve encouraging investment while preserving character.—
Sarah M. Boye,
The Orlando Sentinel,
14 June 2026
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Grinberg now shares her experience online to raise awareness about lung cancer in younger patients and never-smokers, while encouraging others to trust themselves when something doesn't feel right.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
PEOPLE,
14 June 2026
Verb
-
The celebration comes after an awe-inspiring playoff run which saw the Knicks secure the team's first NBA title in more than 50 years with a 4-1 series win over the San Antonio Spurs.—
Mason Leib,
ABC News,
18 June 2026
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The story follows young Santa Claus on an Oz-like trek through the North Pole, meeting and inspiring the offbeat friends who will create Christmas, and remind the world to believe.—
Armando Tinoco,
Deadline,
18 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Emboldening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/emboldening. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
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