1
as in promising
having qualities which inspire hope
a heartening visit to the hospital, where the patient was alert and sitting up
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in encouraging
making one feel good inside
hearing how his students still appreciated him after all those years was heartening to the music teacher
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in favorable
pointing toward a happy outcome
the accomplishments of the first day were a heartening start to our renovation of the house
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in inspiring
to fill with courage or strength of purpose
thinking we were hopelessly lost, we were heartened by the sight of a familiar farmhouse
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of heartening
Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 16 Mar. 2026
The arc of a wrongful-conviction story bends toward exoneration and release—a flawed but heartening correction of past wrongs.
—Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 18 Feb. 2026
That has not been a heartening process.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 23 Jan. 2026
The most heartening thing about this deeply disturbing moment is seeing how consistently and forcefully Minnesotans of all demographics have been pushing back.
—Scott Meslow, The Verge, 19 Jan. 2026
Yet the five-part series, named after Fitzgerald’s club, is more heartening than dour.
—Benjamin Cannon, The Atlantic, 23 Dec. 2025
What's particularly heartening is the number of Republican voters calling for such protections.
—Michael Kleinman, Time, 22 Nov. 2025
Despite public gloom over a largely dysfunctional government, voters achieved a few heartening results.
—The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 12 Nov. 2025
None of the Broncos’ offensive ranks — 19th in yards per play, 15th in yards per game, 21st in points per game — are particularly heartening.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 17 Oct. 2025
David Hambling, Forbes.com, 26 May 2026
Still, the current legislative progress in California has to be heartening for the Stop Killing Games movement, which has seen its momentum in the UK stall a bit after a UK Parliament debate on game preservation last November.
—Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 15 May 2026
That’s fascinating and in some ways heartening to a newbie.
—Matthew Heimer, Fortune, 7 Apr. 2026
The fact that our national media has become increasingly focused on this side of the story is heartening.
—Kevin A. Sabet, STAT, 1 Apr. 2026
But representation, particularly these days, can be a radical act, and there’s something heartening at the sight of the Kim family enjoying their turn in the mainstream spotlight.
—Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2026
Pisces February 19 – March 20 Naming your options can be heartening today.
—Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 12 Mar. 2026
February 19 – March 20 Naming your options can be heartening today.
—Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 12 Mar. 2026
Its diagnosis is accurate and plans for a $12 billion dollar strategic stockpile heartening.
—Markos Kounalakis, Mercury News, 5 Mar. 2026
Adjective
Cameras captured the heartening sight on the podium of Peter Bonnington, Hamilton’s former race engineer who now looks after Antonelli, standing in the middle of the two drivers.
—Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 16 Mar. 2026
The arc of a wrongful-conviction story bends toward exoneration and release—a flawed but heartening correction of past wrongs.
—Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 18 Feb. 2026
That has not been a heartening process.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 23 Jan. 2026
The most heartening thing about this deeply disturbing moment is seeing how consistently and forcefully Minnesotans of all demographics have been pushing back.
—Scott Meslow, The Verge, 19 Jan. 2026
Yet the five-part series, named after Fitzgerald’s club, is more heartening than dour.
—Benjamin Cannon, The Atlantic, 23 Dec. 2025
What's particularly heartening is the number of Republican voters calling for such protections.
—Michael Kleinman, Time, 22 Nov. 2025
Despite public gloom over a largely dysfunctional government, voters achieved a few heartening results.
—The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 12 Nov. 2025
None of the Broncos’ offensive ranks — 19th in yards per play, 15th in yards per game, 21st in points per game — are particularly heartening.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 17 Oct. 2025
Verb
Cases where animals win are always heartening, especially when the animal happens to be the Ukraine’s national bird.
—David Hambling, Forbes.com, 26 May 2026
Still, the current legislative progress in California has to be heartening for the Stop Killing Games movement, which has seen its momentum in the UK stall a bit after a UK Parliament debate on game preservation last November.
—Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 15 May 2026
That’s fascinating and in some ways heartening to a newbie.
—Matthew Heimer, Fortune, 7 Apr. 2026
The fact that our national media has become increasingly focused on this side of the story is heartening.
—Kevin A. Sabet, STAT, 1 Apr. 2026
But representation, particularly these days, can be a radical act, and there’s something heartening at the sight of the Kim family enjoying their turn in the mainstream spotlight.
—Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2026
Pisces February 19 – March 20 Naming your options can be heartening today.
—Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 12 Mar. 2026
February 19 – March 20 Naming your options can be heartening today.
—Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 12 Mar. 2026
Its diagnosis is accurate and plans for a $12 billion dollar strategic stockpile heartening.
—Markos Kounalakis, Mercury News, 5 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for heartening
Adjective
-
Although the data is still being analysed, Zhang Tongjie believes SETI remains one of the most promising approaches for detecting extraterrestrial life.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
31 May 2026
-
Whitmer was once considered among the Democratic Party’s most promising national figures.—
Naomi Lim,
The Washington Examiner,
31 May 2026
Adjective
-
For the Class of 2026, that’s an encouraging message.—
Bryan Robinson,
Forbes.com,
5 June 2026
-
But the run-up under splash hire coach Mauricio Pochettino has been less than encouraging, though a recent 3-2 friendly win over a stout Senegal squad was a positive.—
Greg Cote
June 4,
Miami Herald,
4 June 2026
Adjective
-
Conservative state lawmakers who have received tens of thousands of dollars from Gleason and his family are also those who have consistently sponsored, or at least provided their favorable votes, to bills that would directly benefit his precious metals business.—
Kevin Fixler
June 4,
Idaho Statesman,
4 June 2026
-
In nearly half of those actions, the plaintiffs have won a preliminary injunction against the administration or a favorable ruling, said Lawrence Pacheco, a spokesman for Weiser’s office.—
John Aguilar,
Denver Post,
4 June 2026
Verb
-
Clearly, the promotional popcorn stunts were effective marketing, inspiring fans to flock to comment sections and discussion threads to find out what was fact and what was fiction.—
Mary Walrath-Holdridge,
USA Today,
4 June 2026
-
Schnur said the lack of inspiring governor candidates played at least some role.—
Stephen Hobbs,
Sacbee.com,
3 June 2026
Adjective
-
In braids and a bright yellow fishing bib, with her dog Claude at her side and a witty interjection always on the tip of her tongue, Maude climbs onto her trusty little boat and sets a course for the open sea.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
1 June 2026
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Durable enough to handle the elements, this waterproof light features a comfortable elastic strap and a bright, adjustable beam that improves visibility while keeping both hands free for unloading luggage, handling car repairs, or setting up camp in the dark.—
Sophie Dodd,
Travel + Leisure,
31 May 2026
Adjective
-
Bereaved individuals have often told me that hearing other people’s memories of the person who died can be deeply comforting.—
Julie Kaplow,
USA Today,
30 May 2026
-
The show's plot revolves around tropes that are intentionally comforting and formulaic—fake dating, jock meets girl next door, and opposites attract—and evidently, the styling follows suit.—
Daisy Maldonado,
InStyle,
27 May 2026
Adjective
-
People say, in a hopeful tone, that the book could be translated into Chinese and then my mother will be able to read it.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
1 June 2026
-
Claiborne, back to return a kickoff, sent a pulse through the stadium, weaving his way past hopeful defenders.—
Alec Lewis,
New York Times,
29 May 2026
Adjective
-
Workers who feel optimistic about AI’s effect on their careers report dramatically stronger workplace outcomes across engagement, effort, and intent to stay.—
Matt Rosenbaum,
Fortune,
29 May 2026
-
Her mindset immediately shifted from a sinking feeling to being optimistic about the future.—
Ayren Jackson-Cannady,
SELF,
29 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Heartening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/heartening. Accessed 7 Jun. 2026.
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