encourage suggests the raising of one's confidence especially by an external agency.
the teacher's praise encouraged the students to greater efforts
inspirit, somewhat literary, implies instilling life, energy, courage, or vigor into something.
patriots inspirited the people to resist
hearten implies the lifting of dispiritedness or despondency by an infusion of fresh courage or zeal.
a hospital patient heartened by good news
embolden implies the giving of courage sufficient to overcome timidity or reluctance.
emboldened by her first success, she tried an even more difficult climb
Examples of hearten in a Sentence
The team's victory has heartened its fans.
thinking we were hopelessly lost, we were heartened by the sight of a familiar farmhouse
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They’re heartened by needing about 400,000 fewer voter signatures than in 2021 because of a low 2022 general election turnout.—Thomas D. Elias, Orange County Register, 14 Feb. 2025 Markets were especially heartened by Donald Trump’s Treasury secretary pick, Scott Bessent.—Andrew Ross Sorkin, New York Times, 17 Jan. 2025 Heidi was heartened to hear several neighbors and friends plan to rebuild their homes — if insurance payouts come through.—Elizabeth Wolfe, CNN, 17 Jan. 2025 Some observers are heartened that such a varied set of interests could find common ground.—Christine Ro, Forbes, 15 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for hearten
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