Synonyms of nurture

nurture 1 of 2

verb

1

as in to promote

to help the growth or development of

wanted to find the art school that would best nurture his artistic talent

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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

• educate
• inspire
• enrich
• transform
• edify
• illumine
• enlighten
• illuminate
• uplift
• improve
• ennoble
• elevate
• better
• illume
• lift
• regenerate
• renew
• exalt
• ensoul
• transfigure
• glorify

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• confuse
• puzzle
• obscure
• perplex
• darken
• cloud
• becloud

3

as in to sustain

to supply with nourishment

nurtured their children through the long winters with home-cooked soup

Synonyms & Similar Words

• sustain
• nourish
• satisfy
• feed
• fill
• replenish
• sate
• satiate
• strengthen
• suckle
• fortify
• cater
• provision
• nurse
• cloy
• surfeit
• board
• victual

nurture

2 of 2

noun

as in nourishment

Related Words

• nourishment
• sustenance
• diet
• nutriment
• feed
• food
• provisions
• fare
• fodder
• forage
• foodstuffs
• eats
• bread
• victuals
• meal
• chuck
• meat
• silage
• aliment
• grub
• supplies
• provender
• chow
• refreshments
• tucker
• feast
• ensilage
• table
• eatables
• board
• repast
• edibles
• serving
• vittles
• spread
• comestibles
• viands
• regale
• commissary
• natural food
• swill
• plate
• slop
• rations
• platter
• dish
• finger food

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of nurture

Verb

At their best, genuinely nurturing and attuned to others’ needs. — Christina Pérez, Vogue, 17 July 2026

Policy makers have nudged it into reserve baskets, offered central bank swap lines, nurtured its own payment system and more. — Philipp Carlsson-Szlezak, Fortune, 17 July 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