embolden

Rarely im·bold·en

[em-bohl-dn]

verb (used with object)

1. to make bold or bolder; hearten; encourage.

embolden

/ ɪmˈbəʊldən /

verb

1. (tr) to encourage; make bold

Word History and Origins

Origin of embolden¹

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

Example Sentences

His statements could have "inadvertently instigated or emboldened opportunistic armed groups that are seeking to exploit international narratives by attacking soft targets", Obasi said.

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It will embolden the next Democratic Administration to target conservative broadcasters.

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“You got ICE agents who apparently feel so emboldened by what they do on a day-to-day basis, they’re essentially treating their own neighborhoods as an area they need to start investigating,” Kirakosian said.

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Yet while he now might feel emboldened at building out scenes in larger ways, Baumbach also knows when to pull it back, zeroing in on the heart of a moment.

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There’s an emboldening lesson in that if you choose to take it in.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

• buoy 
• energize 
• inspire 
• invigorate 
• reassure 
• spur 
• sway