1
as in promising
having qualities which inspire hope
a heartening visit to the hospital, where the patient was alert and sitting up
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in encouraging
making one feel good inside
hearing how his students still appreciated him after all those years was heartening to the music teacher
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in favorable
pointing toward a happy outcome
the accomplishments of the first day were a heartening start to our renovation of the house
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in inspiring
to fill with courage or strength of purpose
thinking we were hopelessly lost, we were heartened by the sight of a familiar farmhouse
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of heartening
Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 23 Jan. 2026
The most heartening thing about this deeply disturbing moment is seeing how consistently and forcefully Minnesotans of all demographics have been pushing back.
—Scott Meslow, The Verge, 19 Jan. 2026
Yet the five-part series, named after Fitzgerald’s club, is more heartening than dour.
—Benjamin Cannon, The Atlantic, 23 Dec. 2025
What's particularly heartening is the number of Republican voters calling for such protections.
—Michael Kleinman, Time, 22 Nov. 2025
None of the Broncos’ offensive ranks — 19th in yards per play, 15th in yards per game, 21st in points per game — are particularly heartening.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 17 Oct. 2025
Hearing from speakers with a direct connection to Palestine, who were unafraid to speak openly and vividly about the unfathomable violence that Palestine has faced, felt uniquely heartening.
—Shaad D’souza, Pitchfork, 18 Sep. 2025
Brennand closed Saturday’s event with the heartening news that Manas is now screening in the very communities where the abuse and violence depicted onscreen are taking place.
—Stacey Wilson Hunt, HollywoodReporter, 14 Sep. 2025
One of the more heartening things Steib's witnessed came after funding for the Prism Program was halted.
—Natalie Eilbert, jsonline.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Brenton Blanchet, PEOPLE, 20 Jan. 2026
It’s been heartening to watch states step up and become a bulwark against federal overreach.
—Mary Ellen Klas, Twin Cities, 31 Dec. 2025
It’s been heartening to see these many reverent tributes to not only Reiner’s good deeds in the arena of social justice, but also to his film work, which has maybe not always been properly appreciated for its breadth and vitality.
—Richard Lawson, HollywoodReporter, 15 Dec. 2025
Ambika Maharaj, a striking Teamsters member who has worked in campus security at El Cerrito High School since 2009, said the support has been heartening during a time when many of the staff feel undervalued by their employer.
—Sierra Lopez, Mercury News, 5 Dec. 2025
The news is especially heartening after Boeing’s messy third-quarter earnings report in October, which triggered a weeks-long selloff due to a larger-than-expected charge associated with delays in the 777X program.
—Morgan Chittum, CNBC, 2 Dec. 2025
His message of unity was heartening.
—Steven P. Dinkin, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Sep. 2025
Every politician and public figure should be trying to turn down the temperature in this moment, and it's been heartening to see officials on both sides of the aisle condemn the attack on Kirk.
—Peter Aitken
jason Lemon, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Sep. 2025
Gordon’s emergence has been both heartening and necessary, with injuries temporarily sidelining De’Von Achane and Jaylen Wright.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 24 Aug. 2025
Adjective
That has not been a heartening process.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 23 Jan. 2026
The most heartening thing about this deeply disturbing moment is seeing how consistently and forcefully Minnesotans of all demographics have been pushing back.
—Scott Meslow, The Verge, 19 Jan. 2026
Yet the five-part series, named after Fitzgerald’s club, is more heartening than dour.
—Benjamin Cannon, The Atlantic, 23 Dec. 2025
What's particularly heartening is the number of Republican voters calling for such protections.
—Michael Kleinman, Time, 22 Nov. 2025
None of the Broncos’ offensive ranks — 19th in yards per play, 15th in yards per game, 21st in points per game — are particularly heartening.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 17 Oct. 2025
Hearing from speakers with a direct connection to Palestine, who were unafraid to speak openly and vividly about the unfathomable violence that Palestine has faced, felt uniquely heartening.
—Shaad D’souza, Pitchfork, 18 Sep. 2025
Brennand closed Saturday’s event with the heartening news that Manas is now screening in the very communities where the abuse and violence depicted onscreen are taking place.
—Stacey Wilson Hunt, HollywoodReporter, 14 Sep. 2025
One of the more heartening things Steib's witnessed came after funding for the Prism Program was halted.
—Natalie Eilbert, jsonline.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Verb
And that's been really heartening to me.
—Brenton Blanchet, PEOPLE, 20 Jan. 2026
It’s been heartening to watch states step up and become a bulwark against federal overreach.
—Mary Ellen Klas, Twin Cities, 31 Dec. 2025
It’s been heartening to see these many reverent tributes to not only Reiner’s good deeds in the arena of social justice, but also to his film work, which has maybe not always been properly appreciated for its breadth and vitality.
—Richard Lawson, HollywoodReporter, 15 Dec. 2025
Ambika Maharaj, a striking Teamsters member who has worked in campus security at El Cerrito High School since 2009, said the support has been heartening during a time when many of the staff feel undervalued by their employer.
—Sierra Lopez, Mercury News, 5 Dec. 2025
The news is especially heartening after Boeing’s messy third-quarter earnings report in October, which triggered a weeks-long selloff due to a larger-than-expected charge associated with delays in the 777X program.
—Morgan Chittum, CNBC, 2 Dec. 2025
His message of unity was heartening.
—Steven P. Dinkin, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Sep. 2025
Every politician and public figure should be trying to turn down the temperature in this moment, and it's been heartening to see officials on both sides of the aisle condemn the attack on Kirk.
—Peter Aitken
jason Lemon, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Sep. 2025
Gordon’s emergence has been both heartening and necessary, with injuries temporarily sidelining De’Von Achane and Jaylen Wright.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 24 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for heartening
Adjective
-
The newest scheme appears to be the most promising yet, at least according to people like Victor Wembanyama who still believe this game should matter.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
15 Feb. 2026
-
The newest scheme appears to be the most promising yet, at least according to players such as Victor Wembanyama, who still believe this game should matter.—
Greg Beacham,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Known for his playmaking and point guard skills when the Heat drafted Jakucionis with the 20th overall pick last year, his three-point shooting has been encouraging, albeit at a low volume because of his limited minutes.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
11 Feb. 2026
-
What’s been most encouraging is who’s leaning in.—
Brent Saunders,
Fortune,
11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Another option would be converting a pair of their two-way players to team-favorable standard contracts, perhaps Myron Gardner and Jahmir Young, and then backfilling their two-way spots, with two-way players allowed to be signed until March 4.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
5 Feb. 2026
-
The pick coming back to Denver will be the least favorable of the Clippers’ and Hawks’ second-rounders this year.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Savannah Guthrie credits her mother with inspiring her religious beliefs.—
Daniel Arkin,
NBC news,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Known online as Tiana's Half Dozen, Carston has turned everyday meals for her family of six into an online movement, cooking from the heart and, along the way, inspiring others.—
Ryan Dennis,
CBS News,
4 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Keep your flowers in a location that is bright but avoid direct sunlight, and keep them away from drafts, or entryways where large temperature fluctuations are likely.—
Heather Zidack,
Hartford Courant,
15 Feb. 2026
-
Instead of blasting its outer layers into space in a bright explosion, its inner core appears to have collapsed inward completely, forming a black hole directly.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
15 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Few meals are as comforting as pot roast.—
Jenna Sims,
Southern Living,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Artichoke dip is always a favorite; queso is another warm and comforting classic.—
Sophia Beams,
Better Homes & Gardens,
6 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Powers added that investors are hopeful that consumption and demand will rise as 2026 goes on, boosting these stocks.—
Davis Giangiulio,
CNBC,
15 Feb. 2026
-
By late afternoon, the batch of flowers and hopeful messages outside Guthrie’s home had swelled, and neighbors had attached yellow ribbons to their mailboxes and trees.—
Paige Williams,
New Yorker,
14 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Instacart, on the other hand, reported strong revenue for its most recent period and issued an optimistic forecast for its first quarter.—
Josephine Rozzelle,
CNBC,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Operators remain cautiously optimistic, even as rising costs and softer traffic persist.—
Pamela McLoughlin,
Hartford Courant,
13 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Heartening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/heartening. Accessed 17 Feb. 2026.
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