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

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

Example 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 And the Houthis, emboldened by their victories, are already digging in. — Kareem Fahim, New Yorker, 19 Sep. 2026 But emboldened by Jordan and Hamlin’s vision, Jordan’s status as a worldwide sports icon, and Hamlin’s knowledge of the sport, 23XI has done just that. — Jordan Bianchi, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026 The larger-than-expected monthly increase in core prices will likely embolden those Fed officials who have pushed for higher interest rates. — Christopher Rugaber, Chicago Tribune, 11 Sep. 2026 While Susie is willing to comply with her father’s wishes, Eddie grows more emboldened, fueled by the power he’s learned to harness. — Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 3 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for embolden

Recent Examples of Synonyms for embolden

Verb

All inspired by Rise & Fall’s signature knitwear and outerwear, the designs recast the language of clothing in sculptural forms, bringing together the softness of textiles and the presence of jewelry.

— Tianwei Zhang, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2026
We were inspired from how many great discoveries that went on to revolutionize science and medicine came about from looking around in nature and finding these odd things—PCR [polymerase chain reaction] tests, for example, or CRISPR.

— Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of inspire

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embodying

embolden

emboldened

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“Embolden.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/embolden. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of embolden

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