Synonyms of foster

foster

verb

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

• promote
• encourage
• cultivate
• nurture
• forward
• advance
• further
• nourish
• assist
• incubate
• support
• advocate
• nurse
• fund
• aid
• endorse
• uphold
• finance
• subsidize
• underwrite
• back
• advertise
• patronize
• champion
• endow
• boost
• work (for)
• publicize
• campaign (for)
• stake
• abet
• plug
• agitate (for)
• tout

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• prevent
• hinder
• discourage
• inhibit
• frustrate
• prohibit
• forbid
• enjoin
• outlaw
• proscribe
• oppose
• combat
• fight
• bar
• ban
• contend (with)
• stifle
• counter
• interdict
• suppress
• subdue
• repress
• retard
• battle
• check
• impede
• arrest
• interfere (with)
• halt
• obstruct
• squelch
• squash
• snuff (out)
• encumber
• hobble
• fetter
• shackle
• manacle

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

• raise
• nurture
• promote
• breed
• teach
• cultivate
• nourish
• educate
• nurse
• bring up
• mother
• feed
• watch
• cradle
• rear
• minister (to)
• attend
• mentor
• father
• school
• provide (for)
• instruct
• supply
• lead
• care (for)
• forward
• train
• prepare
• discipline
• indoctrinate
• further
• enlighten
• mind
• show
• edify
• guide
• advance
• direct
• tutor
• shepherd

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• abuse
• mistreat
• maltreat
• ignore
• neglect
• hurt
• harm
• injure
• mishandle
• ill-treat
• ill-use

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of foster

To test their theory, the study’s authors examined 29 exoplanet neighbors previously flagged for potentially fostering liquid water. — Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 23 Sep. 2026

This was fostered largely by organizations such as the Knights of Columbus—a Roman Catholic fraternal organization founded by an Irish American priest—that embraced Italian Catholic immigrants and lobbied Congress for a federal Columbus Day. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 22 Sep. 2026

This edition raised money for a cultural center fostering fashion, music and artistic talent at the Quarto Oggiaro Library in northwestern Milan. — ABC News, 22 Sep. 2026

Following last week's interest rate hike, Goolsbee was putting into perspective what to expect going forward in the Fed's tug-of-war between its dual mandate of fostering price stability and maximizing employment. — Kevin Stankiewicz,matthew J. Belvedere, CNBC, 21 Sep. 2026