encourage suggests the raising of one's confidence especially by an external agency.
the teacher's praise encouraged the students to greater efforts
inspirit, somewhat literary, implies instilling life, energy, courage, or vigor into something.
patriots inspirited the people to resist
hearten implies the lifting of dispiritedness or despondency by an infusion of fresh courage or zeal.
a hospital patient heartened by good news
embolden implies the giving of courage sufficient to overcome timidity or reluctance.
emboldened by her first success, she tried an even more difficult climb
Examples of hearten in a Sentence
The team's victory has heartened its fans.
thinking we were hopelessly lost, we were heartened by the sight of a familiar farmhouse
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He was heartened by CEO Ed Bastian’s recent remarks about persistent demand for the business in an interview with CNBC.—Morgan Chittum, CNBC, 2 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 Apollo's old-timers are heartened that the 43-year-old Isaacman is accelerating the pace of Artemis launches to more closely match Apollo's speed and safety record.—Arkansas Online, 31 Mar. 2026 That may hearten beneficiaries but won’t rein in prices.—Editorial, Boston Herald, 30 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for hearten