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)
• stimulate
• invigorate
• steel
• cheer (up)
• enliven
• provoke
• reassure
• strengthen
• enforce
• animate
• reenforce
• buck up
• energize
• chirk (up)
• excite
• assure
• 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

Examples of embolden in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Navalny’s writing is inspiring, emboldening—a voice that will not be forgotten. —David Remnick, The New Yorker, 11 Oct. 2024

That early success emboldened Hotel Fiction to self-release two full-length albums and one EP, uploading their music directly to streaming services and online retailers via TuneCore. —Spin Contributor, SPIN, 9 Oct. 2024

America weakened and its enemies emboldened The Biden administration has taken a strange and confusing approach to the Gaza war. —Zack Beauchamp, Vox, 4 Oct. 2024

World & Nation France reshaped: Election emboldens Le Pen and undercuts Macron June 20, 2022 Since stepping down as party leader three years ago, Le Pen has sought to position herself as a mainstream candidate capable of appealing to a broader electorate. —Sylvie Corbet and Nicolas Vaux-Montagny, Los Angeles Times, 30 Sep. 2024