English Reference

Word

emboldened

Phoneticsem·bold·ened

US/ɛmˈboʊɫdənd/

UK/ɛmbˈəʊldənd/

Definition

v. to make someone feel more confident or brave. You use this when a person gains the courage to do something after seeing others do it.

v. to make someone feel more courageous or self-assured. Often used to describe the psychological effect of observing others' actions or receiving encouragement.

Examples

“The success of the first project emboldened the team to try something bigger.”

“Seeing their neighbors protest the new law, the residents felt emboldened to join the march.”

“The initial small-scale victories emboldened the rebels, leading them to launch a full-scale offensive that eventually forced the government to the negotiating table.”

Examples

simple

“The success of the first project emboldened the team to try something bigger.”

contextual

“Seeing their neighbors protest the new law, the residents felt emboldened to join the march.”

complex

“The initial small-scale victories emboldened the rebels, leading them to launch a full-scale offensive that eventually forced the government to the negotiating table.”

Real-World Examples

“In a national address, Milei said the "winds of change" favoured Argentina's claim to the islands, emboldened by signs the US might reconsider its stance of neutrality on the issue.”
BBC News · 4 Sept 2026
“Farage's allies say he has been both emboldened and re-energised by this race, and it is not difficult to work out why.”
BBC News · 14 Aug 2026

This entry

Level
B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency
Occasional
Updated

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