embolden

verb

em·​bold·​en im-ˈbōl-dən 

emboldened; emboldening; emboldens

transitive verb

: to impart boldness or courage to : to instill with boldness, courage, or resolution enough to overcome timidity or misgiving

Great leaders embolden the rest of us to rise to our highest potentialities, to be active, insistent and resolute in affirming our own sense of things.

—Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr.

… being near her twin did seem to embolden her, to loosen her tongue.

—John Updike

… other voices too timid to speak in class are often emboldened by the different and more protected role an online conversation provides.

—Richard A. Lanham

Synonyms of embolden

• inspire
• encourage

Choose the Right Synonym for embolden

encourage, inspirit, hearten, embolden mean to fill with courage or strength of purpose.

encourage suggests the raising of one's confidence especially by an external agency.

the teacher's praise encouraged the students to greater efforts

inspirit, somewhat literary, implies instilling life, energy, courage, or vigor into something.

patriots inspirited the people to resist

hearten implies the lifting of dispiritedness or despondency by an infusion of fresh courage or zeal.

a hospital patient heartened by good news

embolden implies the giving of courage sufficient to overcome timidity or reluctance.

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

Examples of embolden in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples on the Web

Economic hardship is familiar territory for the country’s citizens and, so far, there have been no widespread demonstrations against the regime, which only appears emboldened by the war. — Hanna Ziady, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2026

The United States’ drop in credibility has also emboldened many American adversaries to push ahead with initiatives that would have been unthinkable 10 years ago, the closure of the Strait of Hormuz being the prime example. — Letters To The Editor, Washington Post, 18 Aug. 2026

The settlers, emboldened by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s right-wing government, have ramped up attacks on Palestinian towns and villages, harassing residents and setting homes, mosques and fields ablaze. — Sam Metz, Los Angeles Times, 18 Aug. 2026

Critics say Netanyahu's government, which includes ultranationalist, pro-settler ministers, has emboldened the settlers, leading to the increase in attacks. — Frank Andrews, CBS News, 18 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for embolden

• beholden
• bolden
• golden
• holden
• olden
• soldan

Kids Definition

embolden

verb

em·​bold·​en im-ˈbōl-dən 

: to make bold