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
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
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
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The commission has launched several initiatives leading up to the anniversary, including America's Field Trip, a nationwide essay and artwork contest for students, and volunteer service campaigns encouraging Americans to log community service hours.
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No one was ever charged with pulling the trigger, but three other men, Paul McIntyre, 58, Peter Cavanagh, 37, and Jordan Gareth Devine, 25, were charged with murder as accomplices for encouraging or assisting the shooter.
Verb
-
As leaders, our role is to invest the lessons of the past into what will be, inspiring history-minded citizens everywhere.
-
Just having around a 13-year former MLB pitcher should be inspiring to players next season.
Cite this Entry
“Emboldening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/emboldening. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
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