as in inspires
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 emboldens
As a result, African post-coup governments are staying in power longer, which in turn emboldens coup plotters elsewhere who see a more permissive environment.
—
John Joseph Chin, The Conversation, 16 Oct. 2025
Rewarding terrorism only fuels more atrocities against Israel, and emboldens those who target Jews around the world.
—Ofir Akunis, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Oct. 2025
That plus all the Emmys may be what emboldens Last Week Tonight to strut where others may watch their step.
—Matt Zoller Seitz, Vulture, 12 Sep. 2025
Hair, Paper, Water… emboldens one’s love of this earth and the words used to share it.
—Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 7 Aug. 2025
Appeasement only emboldens extremism.
—Nolan Lebovitz, Oc Register, 5 Aug. 2025
John Joseph Chin, The Conversation, 16 Oct. 2025
Rewarding terrorism only fuels more atrocities against Israel, and emboldens those who target Jews around the world.
—Ofir Akunis, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Oct. 2025
That plus all the Emmys may be what emboldens Last Week Tonight to strut where others may watch their step.
—Matt Zoller Seitz, Vulture, 12 Sep. 2025
Hair, Paper, Water… emboldens one’s love of this earth and the words used to share it.
—Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 7 Aug. 2025
Appeasement only emboldens extremism.
—Nolan Lebovitz, Oc Register, 5 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for emboldens
Verb
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This reflection is what inspires the characters’ personal reflections, their detailing of the mythopoetic wonder of their proximity to the land, their intense solidarity with one another, and their fervent attachment to their individual and collective past.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
30 Oct. 2025
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Beyond the shock factor, Crow hopes her video inspires others with old jetted tubs to check theirs, and encourages empathy for people maintaining older homes.—
Jordan Greene,
PEOPLE,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Instead of scrolling through Instagram—or, admittedly, hitting the snooze button a few too many times—Vig encourages you to spend that time sprucing up your space.—
Kelsey Mulvey,
Southern Living,
31 Oct. 2025
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In children and adolescents, physical activity promotes bone health; encourages healthy growth and the development of muscle; and improves motor and cognitive development.—
Hannah Millington,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Emboldens.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/emboldens. Accessed 3 Nov. 2025.
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