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 hearten in a Sentence
The team's victory has heartened its fans.
thinking we were hopelessly lost, we were heartened by the sight of a familiar farmhouse
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Scientists are heartened by the coral’s rediscovery.—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 25 July 2025 We are heartened that the ABA Task Force's final report may encourage the states to reconsider the bans on fusion voting passed by the major parties a century ago.—Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 July 2025 Jones opposed such efforts and his words would hearten the backers of the current Conservancy.—Michael Barnes, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025 As academics, we are heartened that more institutions—not just those with deep pockets—are joining Harvard in standing up against these assaults on our freedoms.—Sarah Blomeley, Time, 25 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for hearten
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