EMBOLDENING Synonyms: 43 Similar and Opposite Words

emboldening

verb

present participle of embolden

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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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 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for emboldening

Verb

Historically, the United States has sent mixed messages to Europeans, encouraging them to step up but then scolding them for seeking autonomy.

— JENNIFER KAVANAGH, Foreign Affairs, 28 Aug. 2026
The scarcity itself became part of the appeal, encouraging moviegoers to attend early, return for later editions and share the collectibles online.

— Davide Abbatescianni, Variety, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of encouraging

Verb

The Property Masters Guild aims to highlight and elevate the craft of the Property Master by raising awareness, fostering collaboration among craft artisans, educating its members and inspiring future generations of Property Masters.

— Isabelle Farina, Variety, 26 Aug. 2026
Deployed as a No 10 and later as a striker, Wissa epitomised all that was good about Newcastle with his energy and drive, leaving a trail of Liverpool players in his wake in the lead-up to the second goal and generally inspiring those around him.

— Stuart James, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of inspiring

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emboldened

emboldening

emboldens

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“Emboldening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/emboldening. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of emboldening

verb

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