Synonyms of embolden

embolden

verb

im-ˈbōl-dən 

as in to inspire

to fill with courage or strength of purpose

his poor showing in his first swim meet just emboldened him to train even harder

Synonyms & Similar Words

• inspire
• encourage
• hearten
• reinforce
• inspirit
• bear up
• buoy (up)
• stimulate
• invigorate
• steel
• cheer (up)
• enliven
• provoke
• reassure
• strengthen
• enforce
• animate
• reenforce
• buck up
• energize
• chirk (up)
• excite
• assure
• galvanize
• fortify
• stir
• rally
• quicken
• boost

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• discourage
• daunt
• dishearten
• undermine
• depress
• weaken
• demoralize
• sadden
• dispirit
• intimidate
• debilitate
• enfeeble
• hamstring
• psych (out)

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb embolden differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of embolden are encourage, hearten, and inspirit. While all these words mean "to fill with courage or strength of purpose," embolden implies the giving of courage sufficient to overcome timidity or reluctance.

emboldened by her first success, she tried an even more difficult climb

When might encourage be a better fit than embolden?

While the synonyms encourage and embolden are close in meaning, encourage suggests the raising of one's confidence especially by an external agency.

the teacher's praise encouraged the students to greater efforts

When could hearten be used to replace embolden?

Although the words hearten and embolden have much in common, hearten implies the lifting of dispiritedness or despondency by an infusion of fresh courage or zeal.

a hospital patient heartened by good news

When is inspirit a more appropriate choice than embolden?

The words inspirit and embolden are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, inspirit, somewhat literary, implies instilling life, energy, courage, or vigor into something.

patriots inspirited the people to resist

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of embolden

As police officers retired, the city could not afford to replace them, emboldening drug dealers and gangs. —Paige Williams, The New Yorker, 10 Feb. 2025

After resolving a health scare in December, the former District 6 City Council member is ready for another go-around, emboldened by the dramatic fall from grace of Sheng Thao, the ex-mayor elected in 2022 who was booted by voters in November and now faces felony conspiracy charges. —Shomik Mukherjee, The Mercury News, 9 Feb. 2025

Those revelations also exposed the extent to which the university leadership’s stubborn mischaracterization of unlawful discriminatory conduct as mere political speech emboldened antisemitic student activities on campus. —Joe Sabag, Sun Sentinel, 4 Feb. 2025

Turkey has tried peace negotiations with the PKK before, to no avail. Turkey, fearing that the empowerment of the PKK’s Syrian offshoot would embolden the broader organization, initiated peace negotiations with Ocalan in 2013. —Halil Karaveli, Foreign Affairs, 3 Feb. 2025