NURTURING Synonyms: 157 Similar and Opposite Words

nurturing 1 of 3

adjective

as in caring

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nurturing

2 of 3

noun

as in teaching

Related Words

nurturing

3 of 3

verb

present participle of nurture

as in cultivating

to help the growth or development of wanted to find the art school that would best nurture his artistic talent

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in educating

to provide (someone) with moral or spiritual understanding she feels that her lifelong practice of reading the Bible daily has nurtured her in ways she cannot describe

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in sustaining

to supply with nourishment nurtured their children through the long winters with home-cooked soup

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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 nurturing

Noun

Pickles were often prepared as offerings during religious festivals, symbolizing prosperity and the nurturing of the human spirit. — Literary Hub, 31 Mar. 2026 For Ash, the film is a testament not only to his own story but to the nurturing that came from the Jewish Writers Institute throughout the process, which overlapped with an increasingly fraught time for Jewish creatives. — Jackie Hajdenberg, Sun Sentinel, 9 Mar. 2026 October 23 – November 21 Trust grows when it’s nurtured, and today is a great day to do some nurturing! — Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 3 Mar. 2026 Scorpio October 23 – November 21 Trust grows when it’s nurtured, and today is a great day to do some nurturing! — Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 3 Mar. 2026 The data don’t tell a story of youth becoming more dangerous, but of institutions withdrawing from their nurturing. — Teri Sforza, Oc Register, 16 Jan. 2026 Chef Evelyn Stokes says anyone is capable of cooking like a professional chef at home if given the proper training in a nurturing, empowering environment. — Scott Talley, Freep.com, 4 Jan. 2026 Anything rooted in your identity — your story, your culture, your softness, your nurturing, your humor, your aesthetic, your home — becomes a business opportunity. — Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 23 Dec. 2025 His legacy, our critic writes, will be as much about his nurturing of new filmmakers as about his movies. — Peter Rainer, Christian Science Monitor, 20 Sep. 2025

Verb

Launched in 2024, the initiative is part of El Gouna’s CineGouna Emerge program aimed at nurturing the next generation of MENA film professionals. — Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 18 Oct. 2026 The three children and a teacher shot to death at Silver Rail Elementary School in central Oregon were in a classroom dedicated to students with special needs – an environment that’s supposed to be nurturing, safe and supportive. — Ray Sanchez, CNN Money, 18 Oct. 2026 The evening supports the organization’s year-round commitment to nurturing and connecting fashion and beauty professionals at every stage of their careers. — Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2026 Didst not thou know that Douthat has long been nurturing a side gig as a kids fantasy guy? — James Folta, Literary Hub, 14 Oct. 2026 Brandon is looking for a nurturing family that can provide him with a sense of understanding and support. — The Star, Kansas City Star, 10 Oct. 2026 For four months, the Napa grower spent four to five hours a day tending four giant pumpkin plants, watching their vines, nurturing their fruit and waiting to see just how big one of them might get. — Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 4 Oct. 2026 Bellen's parents focused more on nurturing their children's gifts and interests like entrepreneurship and education and supporting their endeavors. — Kamaron McNair, CNBC, 3 Oct. 2026 Sherratt has years of direct experience in attracting and nurturing teacher and principal talent, having worked previously for the University of Chicago Consortium on Chicago School Research. — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 28 Sep. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for nurturing

Adjective

Weird things happen in three or four games throughout the regular season all the time, without anyone noticing or caring.

— Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 18 Oct. 2026
Not sincere, caring concern, and not questions about the legality or morality of Grace’s ultimatum.

— Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of caring

Noun

With zero acting gigs on the horizon and weary of taking handouts from Tori, Trina returns to Hollywood Arts for a substitute teaching position.

— Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 15 Oct. 2026
Kayla Safdari Flores works two jobs over and above pursuing a teaching credential program at Sacramento State.

— Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of teaching

Verb

That said, Universal’s campaign seemed less interested in cultivating those audiences than in reaching people who would have a strong reaction to a two-minute trailer.

— Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 12 Oct. 2026
Today, those cultivating followers in addition to a wardrobe have eked out more elbow space.

— Joan Kennedy, Vogue, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of cultivating

Verb

Torres is a board member of the Dallas Mexican American Historical League (DMAHL), a nonprofit organization dedicated to educating the public about the city's Mexican American history.

— Alexis Guerrero, CBS News, 8 Oct. 2026
Even more impressive is the company’s commitment to the local community and environment, and to educating guests about the area’s Indigenous culture and heritage.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of educating

Verb

The Hurricanes took the lead back after Xavier Lucas, who was playing in his first game since sustaining an injury in the season opener, recovered a Riles fumble (forced by Ethan O’Connor).

— Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 18 Oct. 2026
Two of the estimated 400 firefighters assigned to the Norte Fire were stabilized at a hospital after sustaining unspecified injuries battling the blaze, McGovern said.

— Nicole Acevedo, NBC news, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of sustaining

Noun

Walsh will contribute across collection development, campaign concepts, styling, brand imagery and creative storytelling, working alongside the Rebecca Taylor team.

— Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 14 Oct. 2026
Abell Diño-Cabrera, who heads Fire & Ice Media and runs the division’s film and TV development, production, positioning and sales work, will steer the alliance for the Philippine side.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of development

Verb

This annual tradition provides live performances and holiday cheer while promoting donations to community food pantries.

— Paula Wethington, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026
Swank announced her first pregnancy on Good Morning America in October 2022, while promoting her ABC crime series, Alaska Daily.

— Kathleen Perricone, Entertainment Weekly, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of promoting

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nurtures

nurturing

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Nurturing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nurturing. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of nurturing

adjective

noun

verb

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