engender

American  

[en-jen-der] / ɛnˈdʒɛn dər /

verb (used with object)

1. to produce, cause, or give rise to.

   Hatred engenders violence.

   Synonyms:

   breed, generate, create, excite, occasion, beget

2. to beget; procreate.

   Synonyms:

   breed, generate, create

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verb (used without object)

1. to be produced or caused; come into existence.

   Conditions for a war were engendering in Europe.

engender British  

/ ɪnˈdʒɛndə /

verb

1. (tr) to bring about or give rise to; produce or cause

2. to be born or cause to be born; bring or come into being

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Other Word Forms

• engenderer noun
• engenderment noun
• unengendered adjective

Etymology

Origin of engender

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English, from Old French engendrer, from Latin ingenerāre, from in- en- ¹ + generāre “to beget” ( generate )

Explanation

Engender is a fancy way of saying "to make happen," like when you engender the spirit of teamwork and cooperation by encouraging others and doing your share of the group's work. The verb engender has nothing to do with being male or female, though originally, it did mean "beget, procreate." Today, engender means "to produce or bring about." When students come to class prepared, meaning they've read their assignment, this engenders better class discussions, just as mutual trust and the desire to help each other engenders a meaningful friendship.

Example Sentences

Not only can the word cure generate expectations that may not be met and engender disappointment, he says, but it could also have unforeseen practical implications.

From Slate • Mar. 29, 2026

“Judges should not have to worry when they rule against the president that the ruling will engender real personal threats,” Vladeck concluded.

From Salon • Feb. 28, 2026

“That being said, should it, as previously flagged, engender the restart of Ngungaju, increased supply will likely place downward pressure on prices,” says Jefferies.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 10, 2026

Three orchestral concerts and a chamber recital at Carnegie Hall would normally engender nothing but pride from the musicians in question and reverence from audiences.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 20, 2025

Much too, you will think, reader, to engender jealousy: if a woman, in my position, could presume to be jealous of a woman in Miss Ingram’s.

From "Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Brontë

Related Words

• arouse
• beget
• breed
• bring about
• foment
• generate
• incite
• induce
• instigate
• lead to
• precipitate
• provoke
• spawn
• stimulate
• stir