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
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
Those abroad fear the information blackout is emboldening hard-liners within security services to launch a violent crackdown.
—Jon Gambrell, Los Angeles Times, 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
His condemnation of some immigrants and any new ban on immigration could throw into disarray the lives of innumerable potential migrants and their families while emboldening and encouraging his admirers, both at home and those in other Western countries pushing for similar policies.
—Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Nov. 2025
The 49ers outlasted the Rams in overtime in a Week 6 Thursday night affair, Mac Jones had resumed starter duties and has made every start since, emboldening Shanahan and the 49ers’ confidence weekly while Purdy’s health recovers.
—Cam Inman, Mercury News, 5 Nov. 2025
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
Those abroad fear the information blackout is emboldening hard-liners within security services to launch a violent crackdown.
—Jon Gambrell, Los Angeles Times, 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
His condemnation of some immigrants and any new ban on immigration could throw into disarray the lives of innumerable potential migrants and their families while emboldening and encouraging his admirers, both at home and those in other Western countries pushing for similar policies.
—Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Nov. 2025
The 49ers outlasted the Rams in overtime in a Week 6 Thursday night affair, Mac Jones had resumed starter duties and has made every start since, emboldening Shanahan and the 49ers’ confidence weekly while Purdy’s health recovers.
—Cam Inman, Mercury News, 5 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for emboldening
Verb
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The state has tried to get upstream from abuse and neglect, raising awareness of resources and encouraging the general community to support families, said Thomas Miller, director of children, aging and community services at the Colorado Department of Human Services.—
Meg Wingerter,
Denver Post,
26 Apr. 2026
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Parents and pediatricians can advocate for child pedestrian safety by supporting and encouraging community programs with resources offered through organizations such as Safe Routes to School.—
Dr. Phyllis Agran,
Boston Herald,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Still, the whale’s plight has captured imaginations, even inspiring protests in Germany to urge authorities not to give up on the animal.—
K. R. Callaway,
Scientific American,
30 Apr. 2026
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Architecture & Archaeology The Mundo Maya region has arguably the most impressive archaeological sites in all of the world, rivaling even the awe-inspiring pyramids of Egypt.—
Condé Nast Traveler,
Condé Nast Traveler,
29 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Emboldening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/emboldening. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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