cheerlead

[ cheer-leed ]

verb (used with object)

, cheer·led, cheer·lead·ing.

1. to act as cheerleader for.
2. to encourage by or as if by cheerleading.

verb (used without object)

, cheer·led, cheer·lead·ing.

1. to act as cheerleader.

Word History and Origins

Origin of cheerlead¹

By back formation from cheerleader or cheerleading

Example Sentences

He’s been involved in cheerleading for at least 20 years and has the advantage of also working as a cheerleading judge.

From Time

It’s all like that, all just cheerleading and framing and rhetoric in service of his preferred narrative that the right is sane and sober and the left — a voluminous and expanding category of people — deranged and furious.

From Washington Post

I saw Biles cheerleading her teammates, a smile on her face for maybe the first time in Tokyo.

From The Daily Beast

It was supposed to disappear in 24 hours, but her cheerleading coaches were alerted to it, and Levy was suspended from cheerleading for a year.

From Washington Post