Part of Speech

Verb

Pronunciation

/ɪmˈbəʊldən/ (British English), /ɪmˈboʊldən/ (American English)

Definitions

• To give someone confidence or courage to act in a certain way.
• To make something more prominent or bold.

Usage Examples

• "Her speech served to embolden the crowd to take action."
• "The success of the first attempt emboldened him to try again."

Etymology

Derived from the prefix ‘em-’ (meaning to cause) + ‘bold’ (meaning courageous), dating back to the late Middle English period.

Synonyms

Encourage, Strengthen, Inspire, Fortify, Reinforce

Antonyms

Discourage, Deter, Weaken, Dishearten

Translations

Regional Pronunciation Variations

While the word ‘embolden’ is pronounced similarly in English-speaking regions, slight vowel shifts occur in American and British pronunciations.

Historical Usage

The word has been used in historical texts to describe inspiring speeches, military leadership, and acts of bravery.

Cultural Nuances

In literature and politics, ‘embolden’ is often used to describe the strengthening of resolve or the encouragement to take bold action.

More Information

The verb ‘embolden’ remains widely used in both literal and figurative senses, commonly appearing in motivational contexts, leadership discourse, and persuasive rhetoric.