embolden

[em-bohl-duh n]

See more synonyms on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object)

to make bold or bolder; hearten; encourage.

Also imbolden.

Origin of embolden

First recorded in 1495–1505; em-¹ + bold + -en¹

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for embolden

Contemporary Examples

No strike would only embolden Hezbollah, which could then decide on key military and security appointments in the next government.
When Liberals Enable Tyrants
Michael Tomasky
September 6, 2013
Weakening this norm could embolden other regimes to acquire or use chemical weapons.
Hagel: America Can’t Let Hezbollah Get Chemical Weapons
Josh Rogin
September 3, 2013
Embolden your will, hone your mind, and speak the truth as it speaks to you.
Letter to a Young Critic: William Giraldi Defends True Criticism
William Giraldi
September 5, 2012
Did their increased confidence about Iron Dome embolden Israeli leaders to kill Qaisi?
In the Rockets' Red Glare
Peter Beinart
March 12, 2012
Eric Alterman on why the move will only embolden those who practice the politics of personal destruction.
Weiner’s Dangerous Resignation
Eric Alterman
June 16, 2011

Historical Examples

The repulse of our army at Fredericksburg will embolden them.
The Citizen-Soldier
John Beatty
Instead of softening and conciliating, they but embolden and harden them.
Shirley
Charlotte Bront
That was enough to embolden me, and at the same time make me mad.
Kitty's Conquest
Charles King
We took another turn around Washington Square, trying to embolden ourself enough to go in and tell the consul all this.
Mince PieAuthor: Christopher Darlington MorleyRelease Date: October 10, 2004 [eBook #13694]
Christopher Darlington Morley
And this unexpected accusation, instead of frightening her, only served to embolden her.
Historic Girls
E. S. Brooks

British Dictionary definitions for embolden

embolden

verb

(tr) to encourage; make bold

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for embolden

v.

1570s, from en- (1) + bold + -en (1). Related: Emboldened.

embolden

Origin of .css-1fxfie5{font-size:22px;}@media (max-width:768px){.css-1fxfie5{font-size:18px;margin:0 10px 10px 0;word-break:break-all;word-wrap:break-word;-webkit-hyphens:auto;-moz-hyphens:auto;-ms-hyphens:auto;hyphens:auto;line-height:22px;}}embolden

Examples from the Web for embolden

Contemporary Examples

No strike would only embolden Hezbollah, which could then decide on key military and security appointments in the next government.

Weakening this norm could embolden other regimes to acquire or use chemical weapons.

Embolden your will, hone your mind, and speak the truth as it speaks to you.

Did their increased confidence about Iron Dome embolden Israeli leaders to kill Qaisi?

Eric Alterman on why the move will only embolden those who practice the politics of personal destruction.

Historical Examples

The repulse of our army at Fredericksburg will embolden them.

Instead of softening and conciliating, they but embolden and harden them.

That was enough to embolden me, and at the same time make me mad.

We took another turn around Washington Square, trying to embolden ourself enough to go in and tell the consul all this.

And this unexpected accusation, instead of frightening her, only served to embolden her.

embolden

Word Origin and History for embolden

v.

Origin of embolden