1
as in promising
having qualities which inspire hope
a heartening visit to the hospital, where the patient was alert and sitting up
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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
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of 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
Brennand closed Saturday’s event with the heartening news that Manas is now screening in the very communities where the abuse and violence depicted onscreen are taking place.
—Stacey Wilson Hunt, HollywoodReporter, 14 Sep. 2025
One of the more heartening things Steib's witnessed came after funding for the Prism Program was halted.
—Natalie Eilbert, jsonline.com, 9 Sep. 2025
The story of her success is a heartening one.
—Book Marks
august 28, Literary Hub, 28 Aug. 2025
His investment in Rudy’s morality lends the exemplary legal saga a heartening, tender air.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 15 Aug. 2025
Perhaps the most heartening aspect of creating the object at the center of the stop-motion sequence — the clockwork heart — was that it was put together the traditional way.
—Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2025
Kristi Miller, Twin Cities, 19 Oct. 2025
His message of unity was heartening.
—Steven P. Dinkin, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Sep. 2025
Every politician and public figure should be trying to turn down the temperature in this moment, and it's been heartening to see officials on both sides of the aisle condemn the attack on Kirk.
—Peter Aitken
jason Lemon, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Sep. 2025
Gordon’s emergence has been both heartening and necessary, with injuries temporarily sidelining De’Von Achane and Jaylen Wright.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 24 Aug. 2025
Advertisement The trends in the report are heartening for Americans’ health, and, not for nothing, good news too for the marketers who supply the balls, helmets, paddles, and bats that keep us out on the greens, courts, tracks, and fields.
—Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 14 Aug. 2025
At any rate, being able to planet hunt in such close (in cosmic terms) proximity is heartening to scientists.
—David Szondy
august 14, New Atlas, 14 Aug. 2025
Their answers are actually heartening.
—Peter J Reilly, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2025
The company has had such a long and challenging road over more than a decade; the prospect of their success should be heartening to the commercial space industry.
—Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 8 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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
Brennand closed Saturday’s event with the heartening news that Manas is now screening in the very communities where the abuse and violence depicted onscreen are taking place.
—Stacey Wilson Hunt, HollywoodReporter, 14 Sep. 2025
One of the more heartening things Steib's witnessed came after funding for the Prism Program was halted.
—Natalie Eilbert, jsonline.com, 9 Sep. 2025
The story of her success is a heartening one.
—Book Marks
august 28, Literary Hub, 28 Aug. 2025
His investment in Rudy’s morality lends the exemplary legal saga a heartening, tender air.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 15 Aug. 2025
Perhaps the most heartening aspect of creating the object at the center of the stop-motion sequence — the clockwork heart — was that it was put together the traditional way.
—Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2025
Verb
People are feeling that positive energy of coming together, so that’s heartening to feel.
—Kristi Miller, Twin Cities, 19 Oct. 2025
His message of unity was heartening.
—Steven P. Dinkin, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Sep. 2025
Every politician and public figure should be trying to turn down the temperature in this moment, and it's been heartening to see officials on both sides of the aisle condemn the attack on Kirk.
—Peter Aitken
jason Lemon, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Sep. 2025
Gordon’s emergence has been both heartening and necessary, with injuries temporarily sidelining De’Von Achane and Jaylen Wright.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 24 Aug. 2025
Advertisement The trends in the report are heartening for Americans’ health, and, not for nothing, good news too for the marketers who supply the balls, helmets, paddles, and bats that keep us out on the greens, courts, tracks, and fields.
—Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 14 Aug. 2025
At any rate, being able to planet hunt in such close (in cosmic terms) proximity is heartening to scientists.
—David Szondy
august 14, New Atlas, 14 Aug. 2025
Their answers are actually heartening.
—Peter J Reilly, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2025
The company has had such a long and challenging road over more than a decade; the prospect of their success should be heartening to the commercial space industry.
—Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 8 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for heartening
Adjective
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More promising still is Dell’s use of Salesforce’s AI agents to automate parts of its supply chain, including onboarding new suppliers, which has cut its average onboarding time from months to days.—
Jeremy Kahn,
Fortune,
21 Oct. 2025
-
While the New York Giants haven't played well over the past few years, there have been some promising signs over the past few weeks.—
Jon Conahan,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The early signs are encouraging but the players are still adapting to Alonso’s demands.—
Anantaajith Raghuraman,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
-
However, their performance was anything but encouraging.—
Cole Sullivan,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Rutgers-Eagleton’s mid-October survey mirrored that trend, finding 42 percent of voters viewed Sherrill favorably and 45 percent unfavorably, while Ciattarelli’s numbers were 41 percent favorable and 47 percent unfavorable.—
Martha McHardy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Oct. 2025
-
Pics such as Gladiator and series including Game of Thrones have shot there, taking advantage of the favorable tax rebate system and production hubs.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Antarctica is one of the most awe-inspiring places on the planet, and an expedition cruise is a fantastic way to experience it.—
Ashton Palmer,
Travel + Leisure,
24 Oct. 2025
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But every year there’s a different theme inspiring the fantasy football teams.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The bright bubblegum-pink design has green sketches of the movie’s most iconic characters, including Glinda, Elphaba, Madame Morrible, and the Cowardly Lion, while gold accents add extra shine to the dishwasher-safe cup.—
Jacqueline Tempera,
PEOPLE,
26 Oct. 2025
-
Now, children laugh and study in the open-air structure, boasting candy-bright paint.—
Brenna Ehrlich,
Rolling Stone,
26 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Make the hearty and comforting flavors of taco soup a bit more rich with this creamy taco soup recipe.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
25 Oct. 2025
-
Dishes like wild halibut with Jimmy Nardello peppers and spaghetti with squash and spinach feel nourishing and comforting, but never boring.—
Jocelyn Silver,
Vogue,
25 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Definite recommend was an OK 57% on Screen Engine/Comscore’s PostTrak; a score in the mid-60s- to 70-percentile range indicates a hopeful tentpole has electricity.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
20 Oct. 2025
-
At first, Heather stayed hopeful.—
Jordan Greene,
PEOPLE,
20 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Jim interviewed Niccol last week and came away optimistic about the company's trajectory in 2026.—
Paulina Likos,
CNBC,
24 Oct. 2025
-
Ted is optimistic that this budding romance is the beginning of his Christmas comeback, but his looming holiday bad luck still has a few curveballs in store for him.—
Emlyn Travis,
Entertainment Weekly,
24 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Heartening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/heartening. Accessed 28 Oct. 2025.
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