1
as in promising
having qualities which inspire hope
a heartening visit to the hospital, where the patient was alert and sitting up
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in encouraging
making one feel good inside
hearing how his students still appreciated him after all those years was heartening to the music teacher
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in favorable
pointing toward a happy outcome
the accomplishments of the first day were a heartening start to our renovation of the house
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in inspiring
to fill with courage or strength of purpose
thinking we were hopelessly lost, we were heartened by the sight of a familiar farmhouse
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 heartening
Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 16 Mar. 2026
The arc of a wrongful-conviction story bends toward exoneration and release—a flawed but heartening correction of past wrongs.
—Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 18 Feb. 2026
That has not been a heartening process.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 23 Jan. 2026
The most heartening thing about this deeply disturbing moment is seeing how consistently and forcefully Minnesotans of all demographics have been pushing back.
—Scott Meslow, The Verge, 19 Jan. 2026
Yet the five-part series, named after Fitzgerald’s club, is more heartening than dour.
—Benjamin Cannon, The Atlantic, 23 Dec. 2025
What's particularly heartening is the number of Republican voters calling for such protections.
—Michael Kleinman, Time, 22 Nov. 2025
None of the Broncos’ offensive ranks — 19th in yards per play, 15th in yards per game, 21st in points per game — are particularly heartening.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 17 Oct. 2025
Hearing from speakers with a direct connection to Palestine, who were unafraid to speak openly and vividly about the unfathomable violence that Palestine has faced, felt uniquely heartening.
—Shaad D’souza, Pitchfork, 18 Sep. 2025
Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2026
Pisces February 19 – March 20 Naming your options can be heartening today.
—Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 12 Mar. 2026
February 19 – March 20 Naming your options can be heartening today.
—Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 12 Mar. 2026
Its diagnosis is accurate and plans for a $12 billion dollar strategic stockpile heartening.
—Markos Kounalakis, Mercury News, 5 Mar. 2026
And that's been really heartening to me.
—Brenton Blanchet, PEOPLE, 20 Jan. 2026
It’s been heartening to watch states step up and become a bulwark against federal overreach.
—Mary Ellen Klas, Twin Cities, 31 Dec. 2025
It’s been heartening to see these many reverent tributes to not only Reiner’s good deeds in the arena of social justice, but also to his film work, which has maybe not always been properly appreciated for its breadth and vitality.
—Richard Lawson, HollywoodReporter, 15 Dec. 2025
The news is especially heartening after Boeing’s messy third-quarter earnings report in October, which triggered a weeks-long selloff due to a larger-than-expected charge associated with delays in the 777X program.
—Morgan Chittum, CNBC, 2 Dec. 2025
Adjective
Cameras captured the heartening sight on the podium of Peter Bonnington, Hamilton’s former race engineer who now looks after Antonelli, standing in the middle of the two drivers.
—Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 16 Mar. 2026
The arc of a wrongful-conviction story bends toward exoneration and release—a flawed but heartening correction of past wrongs.
—Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 18 Feb. 2026
That has not been a heartening process.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 23 Jan. 2026
The most heartening thing about this deeply disturbing moment is seeing how consistently and forcefully Minnesotans of all demographics have been pushing back.
—Scott Meslow, The Verge, 19 Jan. 2026
Yet the five-part series, named after Fitzgerald’s club, is more heartening than dour.
—Benjamin Cannon, The Atlantic, 23 Dec. 2025
What's particularly heartening is the number of Republican voters calling for such protections.
—Michael Kleinman, Time, 22 Nov. 2025
None of the Broncos’ offensive ranks — 19th in yards per play, 15th in yards per game, 21st in points per game — are particularly heartening.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 17 Oct. 2025
Hearing from speakers with a direct connection to Palestine, who were unafraid to speak openly and vividly about the unfathomable violence that Palestine has faced, felt uniquely heartening.
—Shaad D’souza, Pitchfork, 18 Sep. 2025
Verb
But representation, particularly these days, can be a radical act, and there’s something heartening at the sight of the Kim family enjoying their turn in the mainstream spotlight.
—Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2026
Pisces February 19 – March 20 Naming your options can be heartening today.
—Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 12 Mar. 2026
February 19 – March 20 Naming your options can be heartening today.
—Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 12 Mar. 2026
Its diagnosis is accurate and plans for a $12 billion dollar strategic stockpile heartening.
—Markos Kounalakis, Mercury News, 5 Mar. 2026
And that's been really heartening to me.
—Brenton Blanchet, PEOPLE, 20 Jan. 2026
It’s been heartening to watch states step up and become a bulwark against federal overreach.
—Mary Ellen Klas, Twin Cities, 31 Dec. 2025
It’s been heartening to see these many reverent tributes to not only Reiner’s good deeds in the arena of social justice, but also to his film work, which has maybe not always been properly appreciated for its breadth and vitality.
—Richard Lawson, HollywoodReporter, 15 Dec. 2025
The news is especially heartening after Boeing’s messy third-quarter earnings report in October, which triggered a weeks-long selloff due to a larger-than-expected charge associated with delays in the 777X program.
—Morgan Chittum, CNBC, 2 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for heartening
Adjective
-
The nightmarish sequence spoiled a night that began with the Angels showing more promising signs at the plate.—
Jeff Fletcher,
Oc Register,
29 Mar. 2026
-
Researchers have also observed promising improvements in metabolic markers and better preservation of lean muscle mass, says Burns.—
Daryl Austin,
USA Today,
28 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
In a statement, Boulder police said encouraging victims and witnesses to come forward is critical to moving the investigation forward and preventing further harm.—
Jamie Leary,
CBS News,
28 Mar. 2026
-
Pacifica’s title aspirations in Crestview League softball received a few encouraging signs Thursday in another duel with Cypress.—
Dan Albano,
Oc Register,
27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Under this view, multimillionaires and billionaires could easily afford to relocate to more favorable tax jurisdictions, depriving governments of revenue.—
Aimee Picchi,
CBS News,
26 Mar. 2026
-
If winds increase in the afternoon, conditions could approach Red Flag criteria, meaning weather conditions are favorable for fires to start easily and spread fast.—
Robert A. Cronkleton
March 26,
Kansas City Star,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Snow has been melting quickly, inspiring many ski resorts to close early.—
Tiney Ricciardi,
Denver Post,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Between the easy access, glorious lake views, and awe-inspiring light shows, this is a must-visit place to start or end the day.—
Brian Higgins,
Outside,
25 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Having undergone an extensive 2024 renovation, each of the 259 rooms (including 42 suites) are bright and airy, with textures and colors inspired by the Canadian landscape.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Beyer, who has a warm smile and bright-pink glasses, did not hide her satisfaction.—
Eyal Press,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Both Tehran and Washington are pushing their own comforting versions of reality.—
Newsweek Editors,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Maybe the pretense was comforting to him, too.—
Cassandra Neyenesch,
New Yorker,
29 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
His wife, Deborah, who was seated next to him, appeared to be less hopeful.—
Eyal Press,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
-
As the war in Iran stretches into a fifth week, investors who had been hopeful for a quick resolution are growing increasingly uneasy about the real-world fallout from the conflict.—
Tanaya Macheel,
CNBC,
29 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The most optimistic forecast put them middle-of-the-pack at 15th while most others placed them somewhere in the 20s.—
Michael McGough,
Sacbee.com,
28 Mar. 2026
-
Lazar says even the most optimistic outlook for the rest of the season shows little chance of recovery.—
Callie Zanandrie,
CBS News,
27 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Heartening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/heartening. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
