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
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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
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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
Despite public gloom over a largely dysfunctional government, voters achieved a few heartening results.
—The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 12 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
David Hambling, Forbes.com, 26 May 2026
Still, the current legislative progress in California has to be heartening for the Stop Killing Games movement, which has seen its momentum in the UK stall a bit after a UK Parliament debate on game preservation last November.
—Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 15 May 2026
That’s fascinating and in some ways heartening to a newbie.
—Matthew Heimer, Fortune, 7 Apr. 2026
The fact that our national media has become increasingly focused on this side of the story is heartening.
—Kevin A. Sabet, STAT, 1 Apr. 2026
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
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
Despite public gloom over a largely dysfunctional government, voters achieved a few heartening results.
—The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 12 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
Verb
Cases where animals win are always heartening, especially when the animal happens to be the Ukraine’s national bird.
—David Hambling, Forbes.com, 26 May 2026
Still, the current legislative progress in California has to be heartening for the Stop Killing Games movement, which has seen its momentum in the UK stall a bit after a UK Parliament debate on game preservation last November.
—Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 15 May 2026
That’s fascinating and in some ways heartening to a newbie.
—Matthew Heimer, Fortune, 7 Apr. 2026
The fact that our national media has become increasingly focused on this side of the story is heartening.
—Kevin A. Sabet, STAT, 1 Apr. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for heartening
Adjective
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The chemistry has therefore emerged as a promising option for large-scale energy storage, where cost, resource availability, and operational reliability are critical factors.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
7 June 2026
-
Next to him is the promising 21-year-old Alex Freeman, the son of a former NFL wide receiver whose athleticism is off the charts but feel for the game is still a work in progress.—
Becky Sullivan,
NPR,
7 June 2026
Adjective
-
For the Class of 2026, that’s an encouraging message.—
Bryan Robinson,
Forbes.com,
5 June 2026
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But the run-up under splash hire coach Mauricio Pochettino has been less than encouraging, though a recent 3-2 friendly win over a stout Senegal squad was a positive.—
Greg Cote
June 4,
Miami Herald,
4 June 2026
Adjective
-
In the Eastern Pacific, the opposite occurs, with favorable conditions supporting above-average hurricane season activity.—
Daniel Peck,
ABC News,
11 June 2026
-
Forecast confidence is increasing that some storms could become strong to severe on Sunday, especially along and north of I-20, where wind shear will be slightly more favorable for storm organization.—
Nelly Carreño,
CBS News,
11 June 2026
Verb
-
In Kansas City, Dodds’ passion was also inspiring children.—
Kendrick Calfee
June 11,
Kansas City Star,
11 June 2026
-
The awe-inspiring scenery includes the Perry Monument, beaches and sunsets, the Tom Ridge Environmental Center, historic lighthouses, trails and the wildlife‑rich lagoons that define the peninsula.—
USA TODAY Network,
USA Today,
10 June 2026
Adjective
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Ex-Arsenal player Héctor Bellerín wore bright pink on the Louis Vuitton catwalk in 2019, while Real Madrid’s Eduardo Camavinga walked for Balenciaga in 2022.—
Sheena McKenzie,
CNN Money,
7 June 2026
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Deneb is the brightest star in the constellation Cygnus the Swan.—
Mike Lynch,
Twin Cities,
7 June 2026
Adjective
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Nestlé's take pairs notes of vanilla and brown butter flavor with milk chocolate morsels for a chocolate chip cookie that's even more comforting.—
Sophia Beams,
Better Homes & Gardens,
8 June 2026
-
Bereaved individuals have often told me that hearing other people’s memories of the person who died can be deeply comforting.—
Julie Kaplow,
USA Today,
30 May 2026
Adjective
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Too often, the Socceroos’ possession ended with hopeful balls forward or turnovers in difficult places.—
Eddie Brown,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 June 2026
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Decades later, their performances continue to resonate, reminding audiences why Mayberry still symbolizes a gentler, more hopeful vision of community life.—
Declan Gallagher,
Entertainment Weekly,
7 June 2026
Adjective
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Workers who feel optimistic about AI’s effect on their careers report dramatically stronger workplace outcomes across engagement, effort, and intent to stay.—
Matt Rosenbaum,
Fortune,
29 May 2026
-
Her mindset immediately shifted from a sinking feeling to being optimistic about the future.—
Ayren Jackson-Cannady,
SELF,
29 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Heartening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/heartening. Accessed 13 Jun. 2026.
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