embolden

verb

em·​bold·​en im-ˈbōl-dən How to pronounce embolden (audio)
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
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Threats to kill Iran’s leader will harden Tehran’s position, embolden hardliners, and complicate efforts to reach a diplomatic solution. Jason D. Greenblatt, semafor.com, 18 June 2025 These gains among key voting blocs traditionally aligned with Democrats could reshape the balance of power in Congress and embolden Trump to pursue more aggressive policies with broader public backing. Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 June 2025 This hateful message emboldened the audience to boo when graduates in Jewish Studies and Hebrew were called to the stage. Isabella Brannon, FOXNews.com, 18 June 2025 Washington’s new position both reduces its financial incentive to foster stability and offers the United States leverage over energy importers, including close U.S. allies, which helps embolden Trump’s agenda. Michael L. Ross, Foreign Affairs, 12 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for embolden

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of embolden was in the 15th century

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Cite this Entry

“Embolden.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/embolden. Accessed 1 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

embolden

verb
em·​bold·​en im-ˈbōl-dən How to pronounce embolden (audio)
: to make bold

More from Merriam-Webster on embolden

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