embolden

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "embolden" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to encourage or give someone the confidence to do something. Example: "The coach's words were meant to embolden the players before the big game."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

US military strikes will only embolden them to delay further.

The Guardian - Opinion

If you must tweet, tweet to support and embolden them; don't direct your calls to action to the US government who seeks to only embolden American militarism.

The Guardian

It is a lesson that will embolden them.

The Guardian - Opinion

With internal dissent rumbling in recent weeks within the government ranks and at the top of the AKP, the poor result for Erdoğan is likely to embolden dissenters and could spark a power stuggle.

The Guardian

Related: Barack Obama says historic agreement with Iran meets core objectives Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, the Gulf's hawks, fear Iran's international rehabilitation through the nuclear agreement will ease its political and economic isolation and embolden its designs in the Arab world.

The Guardian

It might embolden reformers in those ex-Soviet states whose leaders still use dodgy elections to cling to power Belarus's Alexander Lukashenka is an obvious example.Furthermore, if Ukraine starts to enjoy western-style human rights and prosperity, voters in Russia itself might begin to ask why they cannot have the same.

The Economist

The trick will be reforms that do not just embolden toughies.

The Economist

That crop was sufficient, however, to embolden the regime of Kim Jong Il last December to force the UN's World Food Programme (WFP) to leave the country, because it felt humiliated by its dependence on emergency relief.

The Economist

Mr Obama's re-election will embolden him to stand firm against extending Mr Bush's tax cuts for the wealthy, betting that Republicans will shoulder the blame if everyone's taxes go up in January as they will if there is no deal.

The Economist

An agreement might in turn embolden Mr Duhalde to postpone the election, or try to stand again himself.

The Economist

Although scope for mergers remains in a country where many businesses are only half-restructured, Oji's experience is unlikely to embolden many other big, blue-chip companies.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "embolden" when you want to convey the idea of increasing someone's courage or confidence to act, especially in the face of opposition or uncertainty. For example, "The positive feedback from the team "emboldened" her to present her innovative ideas to the executives."

Common error

Avoid using "embolden" in contexts where simple encouragement suffices; it suggests a pre-existing sense of timidity or fear that needs to be overcome. If the situation doesn't involve such hesitation, a word like "encourage" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "embolden" is as a transitive verb. It requires a direct object, indicating the person or entity being made bolder. As confirmed by Ludwig, "embolden" effectively conveys the act of instilling courage or confidence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The verb "embolden" is a versatile term, predominantly found in news and formal business contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, it accurately describes the act of making someone braver or more confident, often in challenging situations. With a wide range of synonyms like "give courage to" and "inspire", "embolden" serves a vital role in communicating increased confidence and determination. Its use should be reserved for situations where individuals face pre-existing timidity, and its primary goal is to motivate and strengthen resolve.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

give courage to

Focuses on the act of directly providing courage.

instill confidence in

Highlights the creation of confidence within someone.

fortify resolve

Emphasizes strengthening one's determination.

steel someone's nerve

Implies preparing someone mentally for a difficult situation.

animate with confidence

Suggests bringing someone to life with confidence.

hearten

A more direct and simpler synonym, meaning to give encouragement.

inspire

Focuses on motivating or stimulating someone to action.

motivate

Highlights providing a reason or incentive to act.

boost morale

Specifically refers to improving the overall spirit of a group.

encourage

A broader term that includes giving hope and support.

FAQs

How can I use "embolden" in a sentence?

You can use "embolden" to describe the act of making someone braver or more confident. For example, "The general's speech was intended to "embolden" the troops before the battle."

What are some synonyms for "embolden"?

Alternatives to "embolden" include "give courage to", "inspire", or "motivate", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "embolden" a formal or informal word?

"Embolden" is generally considered a neutral to slightly formal word, suitable for use in news articles, business reports, and academic writing.

Can 'encourage' be used instead of "embolden"?

While both words convey a positive sentiment, "embolden" suggests a stronger increase in confidence, often in the face of fear or opposition, unlike "encourage" which is more general.