nurture 1 of 2

Definition of nurturenext
1
2
as in to educate
to provide (someone) with moral or spiritual understanding she feels that her lifelong practice of reading the Bible daily has nurtured her in ways she cannot describe

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

3
as in to sustain
to supply with nourishment nurtured their children through the long winters with home-cooked soup

Synonyms & Similar Words

nurture

2 of 2

noun

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 nurture
Verb
What happens when a body that has become functional, public, nurturing, and exhausted refuses to relinquish complexity? Alessia Glaviano, Vogue, 7 Aug. 2026 Sam is smart about his feelings, but has a kind energy that nurtures others with empathy and food. Lisa Stardust, PEOPLE, 5 Aug. 2026
Noun
One of the most underrated stories in CSF athletics is its remarkable ability to recruit, nurture and spring standout decathletes on the Big West — and elsewhere. Brian Robin, Oc Register, 8 June 2026 His ensemble-friendly technique nurtures a sense of life continually spilling in and out of the frame. Justin Chang, New Yorker, 26 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for nurture
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nurture
Verb
  • Perhaps Patrick Dorgu should stay on the left, but given United would be expected to have much more of the ball against promoted Hull next Saturday, Matheus Cunha would likely get in there for his attacking flair.
    Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Wrangler and Lee owner Kontoor Brands has promoted Joseph Alkire to president and chief financial officer.
    Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 14 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • This summer, Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office deputies have also pulled over teens for driving e-bikes and e-motorcycles recklessly, but also to educate teens on driving responsibly and the rules of the road.
    Ashley Portillo, CBS News, 14 Aug. 2026
  • As during the first Taliban regime in the 1990s, women activists have organized underground schools to educate girls denied access to formal classrooms.
    Rina Amiri, Foreign Affairs, 14 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Considering the expense of operating it, only musical groups with massive followings can sustain a residency here.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Two sailors are reported to be missing, while eight civilians sustained injuries, Staff Colonel Majed al-Zuraiqi, official spokesperson for the Yemeni Armed Forces, said.
    Tim Lister, CNN Money, 15 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Born in Mexico to a left-wing Catalan family, Adela’s spiritual and intellectual formation came from her grandparents, while her emotional nourishment was the realm of the housekeeper/nanny Paula (Teresita Sánchez).
    Jay Weissberg, Variety, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Horses didn’t survive 56 million years by adding more tasks to their days or overworking to get nourishment, protection, or social connections.
    Nell Derick Debevoise Dewey, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • The courses, Cristerna said, would have been useful in learning how to negotiate brand deals, maximize monetization opportunities and cultivate and keep an audience.
    ABC News, ABC News, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Newly interested in landscape design, Kim’s mother also cultivated the property’s garden, grooming its old red pine tree and planting the grounds with tulips, chrysanthemums, and daisies.
    Hannah Martin, Architectural Digest, 14 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • My intent was to inspire him to think about how family events are really important.
    CNN Money, CNN Money, 13 Aug. 2026
  • And with The Odyssey putting Homer's world back into the pop-culture spotlight, travelers inspired to plan their own Greek adventure now have one more reason to look beyond the islands.
    Brittany Anas, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • But between navigating selective palates, food allergies, social media-worthy lunchbox inspiration, food noise, and the inevitable comparisons with classmates, striking a balance between sustenance and satisfaction can quickly become overwhelming.
    Sierra Leone Starks, Parents, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Ponder will be charged with first-degree and second-degree child cruelty, and first-degree child cruelty - deprivation of necessary sustenance.
    Dan Raby, CBS News, 10 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Separating students from those pressures for several hours could encourage face-to-face conversation and give overwhelmed teenagers a genuine break.
    Kavin Bendre, Chicago Tribune, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Protecting elections and encouraging thoughtful voting is imperative to retake control of our government.
    Letters to the Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 Aug. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Nurture.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nurture. Accessed 17 Aug. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on nurture

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!