nourish

nour·ish

transitive verb \ˈnər-ish, ˈnə-rish\

Definition of NOURISH

1

: nurture, rear

2

: to promote the growth of <no occasions to exercise the feelings nor nourish passion — L. O. Coxe>

3

a : to furnish or sustain with nutriment : feed

b : maintain, support <their profits…nourish other criminal activities — Beverly Smith>

— nour·ish·er noun

Examples of NOURISH

1. Vitamins are added to the shampoo to nourish the hair.
2. a friendship nourished by trust

Origin of NOURISH

Middle English nurishen, from Anglo-French nuriss-, stem of nurrir, norrir, from Latin nutrire to suckle, nourish; akin to Greek nan to flow, noteros damp, Sanskrit snauti it drips

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to NOURISH

Synonyms

advance, cultivate, encourage, forward, further, incubate, foster, nurse, nurture, promote

Antonyms

discourage, frustrate, hinder, inhibit

Related Words

advocate, back, champion, endorse (also indorse), support, uphold; endow, finance, fund, patronize, stake, subsidize, underwrite; abet, aid, assist; advertise, boost, plug, publicize, tout; agitate (for), campaign (for), work (for)

Near Antonyms

ban, bar, enjoin, forbid, interdict, outlaw, prevent, prohibit, proscribe; battle, combat, contend (with), counter, fight, oppose; repress, snuff (out), squash, squelch, stifle, subdue, suppress; arrest, check, halt, retard; encumber, fetter, hobble, impede, interfere (with), manacle, obstruct, shackle

Rhymes with NOURISH

currish, flourish

nour·ish

transitive verb \ˈnər-ish, ˈnə-rish\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of NOURISH

: to furnish or sustain with nutriment : feed