foster

verb

Definition of fosternext
1
as in to promote
to help the growth or development of the head librarian firmly declared that it is indeed the duty of local government to foster learning and a love of reading

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to raise
to bring to maturity through care and education a greathearted couple fostering two adopted children as well as three more of their own

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of foster Denny Jong — began making derogatory comments around the office, fostering a culture of permissiveness that allowed similar remarks to go unchecked. — Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026 But there was nonetheless a great deal of gratitude toward him for founding and fostering this community. — Zoe Magee, ABC News, 9 July 2026 Recognizing this, several entrepreneurs have launched innovative businesses aimed at fostering genuine human connection. — Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for foster
Recent Examples of Synonyms for foster
  1. promote
  2. raise
  3. encourage
  4. nurture
  5. cultivate
  6. breed
Verb
  • Instead of promoting their efforts, Republican lawmakers were left scrambling when the president abruptly withdrew his support over a separate political fight.
    — Samantha Delouya, CNN Money, 11 July 2026
  • The British Museum move, meanwhile, is a public happening organized as part of a citywide art trail to promote a world tour around BTS’s latest album.
    — Andy Battaglia, ARTnews.com, 10 July 2026
Definition of promote
Verb
  • Even Realities has largely been funded by Chinese-origin venture firms including CDH Investments, Monolith Management and CVC Capital, and raised an undisclosed sum from Unicorn Capital Partners and Cyanhill Capital in January.
    — Anniek Bao, CNBC, 8 July 2026
  • In a landmark 2023 deal, Regan secured a statewide $25 wage floor for healthcare workers after qualifying initiatives to raise industry wages in Los Angeles and other cities.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026
Definition of raise
Verb
  • Early on, Whalen had encouraged a fruit plate, paired with California cheeses, that never quite took off with customers.
    — Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026
  • Today’s astro-weather encourages us to be emotionally intelligent without being evasive.
    — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 8 July 2026
Definition of encourage
Verb
  • As the nurturing Moon enters your 4th House of Home and Family, comfort wants structure and small domestic systems feel soothing.
    — Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 6 July 2026
  • Instead, these events may have developed to nurture feelings of closeness in large groups in much the same way as social grooming does between pairs of apes.
    — The Week UK, TheWeek, 6 July 2026
Definition of nurture
Verb
  • The Huntington cultivates them on-site and has distributed many to botanic gardens and zoos across the country.
    — Emily Tarinelli, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026
  • Located in the heart of the Marais district, the department store has been a fixture of Paris retail for more than 160 years and has spent decades cultivating a reputation for premium fashion, design and homeware.
    — Mark Faithfull, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026
Definition of cultivate
Verb
  • With no natural predators and the ability to breed year-round, their populations have exploded over the decades.
    — Amber Harding OutKick, FOXNews.com, 5 July 2026
  • Plant breeders, including universities, have long experimented with breeding new crop varieties, and some have become household names.
    — Claire Rush, Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2026
Definition of breed

Browse Nearby Words

fossils
foster
fosterage
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Cite this Entry

“Foster.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/foster. Accessed 13 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on foster

Nglish: Translation of foster for Spanish Speakers

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