EMBOLDEN

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does embolden mean? 

• EMBOLDEN (verb)
  The verb EMBOLDEN has 1 sense:

1. give encouragement to

  Familiarity information: EMBOLDEN used as a verb is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• EMBOLDEN (verb)

Present simple: I / you / we / they embolden    ... he / she / it emboldens   
Past simple: emboldened   
Past participle: emboldened   
-ing form: emboldening   

Sense 1

Meaning:

Give encouragement to

Classified under:

Verbs of feeling

Synonyms:

cheer; embolden; hearten; recreate

Hypernyms (to "embolden" is one way to...):

encourage (inspire with confidence; give hope or courage to)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "embolden"):

buck up; take heart (gain courage)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s somebody
Something ----s somebody

Sentence example:

The good news will embolden her

 Context examples 

"Shall I tell my friend you will take another if she has one better than this?" asked Jo, unconscious of her little slip of the tongue, and emboldened by her success.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

I replied with such an expressive look, that Mr. Chillip was emboldened by that, and the negus together, to give his head several short shakes, and thoughtfully exclaim, Ah, dear me!

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

It emboldened me to ask a question.

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)

This glimpse I had caught of his other side must have emboldened me, for I resolved to speak to him about the money I had lost.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

He was now more sure than ever of his ground, and so emboldened to proceed in his task.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

No summons, however, arrived; and at last, on seeing a carriage drive up to the abbey, she was emboldened to descend and meet him under the protection of visitors.

(Northanger Abbey, by Jane Austen)

His looks shewing him not pained, but pleased with this allusion to his situation, she was emboldened to go on; and feeling in herself the right of seniority of mind, she ventured to recommend a larger allowance of prose in his daily study; and on being requested to particularize, mentioned such works of our best moralists, such collections of the finest letters, such memoirs of characters of worth and suffering, as occurred to her at the moment as calculated to rouse and fortify the mind by the highest precepts, and the strongest examples of moral and religious endurances.

(Persuasion, by Jane Austen)

I expressed my pleasure in the contemplation of it, and little Em'ly was emboldened to say, shyly, Don't you think you are afraid of the sea, now?

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

I thoroughly believe that but for those unfortunate donkeys, we should have come to a good understanding; for my aunt had laid her hand on my shoulder, and the impulse was upon me, thus emboldened, to embrace her and beseech her protection.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

No attempt at defiance being made, however, her face gradually relaxed, and became so pleasant, that I was emboldened to kiss and thank her; which I did with great heartiness, and with both my arms clasped round her neck.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)