as in encouraging
to fill with courage or strength of purpose
his poor showing in his first swim meet just emboldened him to train even harder
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Recent Examples of emboldening
Those abroad fear the information blackout is emboldening hard-liners within security services to launch a violent crackdown.
—
Jon Gambrell, Los Angeles Times, 12 Jan. 2026
This is thanks to Venus and Mars working together in your sensible 6th house, emboldening you to streamline routines and add creative flair to useful habits.
—Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 7 Jan. 2026
But experts worry this audacious undertaking risks fraying the last remaining threads of international norms, emboldening autocracies into new acts of aggression without fear of consequences.
—Charlie Campbell, Time, 5 Jan. 2026
But those tactics seem to have backfired, emboldening those who were skeptical of the new map proposal.
—Jared Gans, The Hill, 15 Dec. 2025
His condemnation of some immigrants and any new ban on immigration could throw into disarray the lives of innumerable potential migrants and their families while emboldening and encouraging his admirers, both at home and those in other Western countries pushing for similar policies.
—Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Nov. 2025
The 49ers outlasted the Rams in overtime in a Week 6 Thursday night affair, Mac Jones had resumed starter duties and has made every start since, emboldening Shanahan and the 49ers’ confidence weekly while Purdy’s health recovers.
—Cam Inman, Mercury News, 5 Nov. 2025
Evangelical fervor is to him as spinach is to Popeye, emboldening him to try to save a woman who didn’t ask to be saved and fight crime by committing a string of assaults.
—Matt Zoller Seitz, Vulture, 31 Oct. 2025
Gazing inward, and taking a closer-than-ever look at the outside world, has been cathartic, emboldening — and absolutely refreshing.
—Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 31 Oct. 2025
Jon Gambrell, Los Angeles Times, 12 Jan. 2026
This is thanks to Venus and Mars working together in your sensible 6th house, emboldening you to streamline routines and add creative flair to useful habits.
—Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 7 Jan. 2026
But experts worry this audacious undertaking risks fraying the last remaining threads of international norms, emboldening autocracies into new acts of aggression without fear of consequences.
—Charlie Campbell, Time, 5 Jan. 2026
But those tactics seem to have backfired, emboldening those who were skeptical of the new map proposal.
—Jared Gans, The Hill, 15 Dec. 2025
His condemnation of some immigrants and any new ban on immigration could throw into disarray the lives of innumerable potential migrants and their families while emboldening and encouraging his admirers, both at home and those in other Western countries pushing for similar policies.
—Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Nov. 2025
The 49ers outlasted the Rams in overtime in a Week 6 Thursday night affair, Mac Jones had resumed starter duties and has made every start since, emboldening Shanahan and the 49ers’ confidence weekly while Purdy’s health recovers.
—Cam Inman, Mercury News, 5 Nov. 2025
Evangelical fervor is to him as spinach is to Popeye, emboldening him to try to save a woman who didn’t ask to be saved and fight crime by committing a string of assaults.
—Matt Zoller Seitz, Vulture, 31 Oct. 2025
Gazing inward, and taking a closer-than-ever look at the outside world, has been cathartic, emboldening — and absolutely refreshing.
—Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 31 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for emboldening
Verb
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The Colorado Division of Oil and Public Safety is also encouraging impacted customers to contact them by submitting a complaint online or calling 303-866-4967.—
Austen Erblat,
CBS News,
13 Jan. 2026
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Known for encouraging collaboration in a competitive industry, Brotherton was widely regarded as someone who championed other cooks as much as his own success.—
Ana Gutierrez,
Austin American Statesman,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Published in 2021, Cochrun’s novel went viral with over 10,000 posts on TikTok, inspiring scores of fan art, and has been translated into eight languages.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
15 Jan. 2026
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This type of photogenic-tourism (a term used to describe travelers seeking out a frame-worthy view) is inspiring a new generation to explore the world.—
Essence,
Essence,
14 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Emboldening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/emboldening. Accessed 22 Jan. 2026.
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