Entry Word: foster

Function: verb

Meaning: 1 to help the growth or development of <the head librarian firmly declared that it is indeed the duty of local government to foster learning and a love of reading>

Synonyms advance, cultivate, encourage, forward, further, nourish, nurture, promote

Related Words back, champion, support, uphold; endow, finance, fund, patronize, subsidize; abet, aid, assist; advertise, boost, plug, publicize, tout; agitate (for), campaign (for), work (for)

Near Antonyms forbid, prevent, prohibit; battle, combat, counter, fight, oppose; repress, stifle, suppress; arrest, check, halt, retard

Antonyms discourage, frustrate, hinder, inhibit

2 to bring to maturity through care and education <a greathearted couple fostering two adopted children as well as three more of their own> — see bring up 1