HEARTEN Synonyms: 43 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'hearten' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of hearten are embolden , encourage , and inspirit . While all these words mean "to fill with courage or strength of purpose," hearten implies the lifting of dispiritedness or despondency by an infusion of fresh courage or zeal. // a hospital patient heartened by good news

Q: When can 'embolden' be used instead of 'hearten'?

While in some cases nearly identical to hearten , embolden implies the giving of courage sufficient to overcome timidity or reluctance. // emboldened by her first success, she tried an even more difficult climb

Q: When might 'encourage' be a better fit than 'hearten'?

Although the words encourage and hearten have much in common, encourage suggests the raising of one's confidence especially by an external agency. // the teacher's praise encouraged the students to greater efforts

Q: When could 'inspirit' be used to replace 'hearten'?

The words inspirit and hearten 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

hearten

verb

ˈhär-tᵊn

Definition of hearten next

as in to inspire

to fill with courage or strength of purpose thinking we were hopelessly lost, we were heartened by the sight of a familiar farmhouse

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How does the verb hearten differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of hearten are embolden, encourage, and inspirit. While all these words mean "to fill with courage or strength of purpose," hearten implies the lifting of dispiritedness or despondency by an infusion of fresh courage or zeal.

a hospital patient heartened by good news

When can embolden be used instead of hearten?

While in some cases nearly identical to hearten, 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 hearten?

Although the words encourage and hearten have much in common, 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 inspirit be used to replace hearten?

The words inspirit and hearten 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

Examples Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of hearten Paul seems heartened by this, and wants to call his wife and kids. —

Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 8 Aug. 2024 Despite the mixed results compared to expectations, Wall Street seemed heartened by Genius’ outlook, sending shares up more than 7%, to $6.43, on heavy volume in the first hour of Tuesday trading. —

Brendan Coffey, Sportico.com, 6 Aug. 2024 Emma was heartened to spot a Nando’s, a popular South African chicken franchise, just down the road. —

Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 5 Sep. 2024 O’Leary said he’s also heartened by seeing the work that independent theaters are doing to revitalize their communities, such as New Canaan, Connecticut’s Playhouse Theater. —

Pat Saperstein, Variety, 19 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for hearten