hearten

heart·en

verb \ˈhär-t^ən\

: to cause (someone) to feel more cheerful or hopeful

heart·enedheart·en·ing \ˈhärt-niŋ, ˈhär-t^ən-iŋ\

Full Definition of HEARTEN

transitive verb

:  to give heart to :  cheer

— heart·en·ing·ly \-niŋ-lē, -t^ən-iŋ-\ adverb

Examples of HEARTEN

1. The team's victory has heartened its fans.
2. <thinking we were hopelessly lost, we were heartened by the sight of a familiar farmhouse>

First Known Use of HEARTEN

1526

Related to HEARTEN

Synonyms

bear up, buck up, buoy (up), cheer (up), chirk (up), embolden, encourage, inspire, inspirit, steel

Antonyms

daunt, discourage, dishearten, dispirit

Related Words

animate, enliven, invigorate; enforce, fortify, reinforce (also reenforce), strengthen; assure, reassure; boost, energize, excite, galvanize, provoke, quicken, rally, stimulate, stir

Near Antonyms

demoralize, depress, sadden; debilitate, enfeeble, hamstring, undermine, weaken; intimidate, psych (out)

See Synonym Discussion at encourage

Rhymes with HEARTEN

Barton, carton, marten, martin, smarten, Spartan, tartan