Synonyms of embolden

embolden

verb

im-ˈbōl-dən 

as in to inspire

to fill with courage or strength of purpose

his poor showing in his first swim meet just emboldened him to train even harder

Synonyms & Similar Words

• inspire
• encourage
• hearten
• reinforce
• inspirit
• bear up
• buoy (up)
• invigorate
• stimulate
• steel
• cheer (up)
• enliven
• provoke
• reassure
• strengthen
• enforce
• animate
• buck up
• chirk (up)
• energize
• assure
• excite
• galvanize
• fortify
• stir
• rally
• quicken
• boost

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• discourage
• daunt
• dishearten
• undermine
• depress
• weaken
• demoralize
• sadden
• dispirit
• intimidate
• debilitate
• enfeeble
• hamstring
• psych (out)

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb embolden differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of embolden are encourage, hearten, and inspirit. While all these words mean "to fill with courage or strength of purpose," embolden implies the giving of courage sufficient to overcome timidity or reluctance.

emboldened by her first success, she tried an even more difficult climb

When might encourage be a better fit than embolden?

While the synonyms encourage and embolden are close in meaning, encourage suggests the raising of one's confidence especially by an external agency.

the teacher's praise encouraged the students to greater efforts

When could hearten be used to replace embolden?

Although the words hearten and embolden have much in common, hearten implies the lifting of dispiritedness or despondency by an infusion of fresh courage or zeal.

a hospital patient heartened by good news

When is inspirit a more appropriate choice than embolden?

The words inspirit and embolden are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, inspirit, somewhat literary, implies instilling life, energy, courage, or vigor into something.

patriots inspirited the people to resist

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of embolden

Trump's order was widely criticized by nuclear scientists and nonproliferation experts, who said that Washington had little to gain from live drills, which would likely only embolden Moscow and Beijing. —Alexander Smith, NBC news, 5 Nov. 2025

As accountability for crimes against the press remains elusive, many governments are increasingly emboldened to target journalists reporting uncomfortable truths about conflict, political turmoil, corruption and organized crime. —Scott Griffen, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2025

Here, spiritual infractions are met with savage physical punishment and some of the more grotesque images in recent horror memory (which, as the genre has become ever more popular and emboldened, is seriously saying something). —Dennis Perkins, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Oct. 2025

Gazing inward, and taking a closer-than-ever look at the outside world, has been cathartic, emboldening — and absolutely refreshing. —Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 31 Oct. 2025