# engendered

/ɛnˈdʒɛndɝd/ (US) · /ɛndʒˈɛndəd/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/engendered
Updated: 2026-10-18

## Definition

to cause something to happen or come into being. You use it when one thing leads to another, like poor planning leading to stress.

For teachers: to cause or give rise to a feeling, situation, or condition. Typically formal, appearing in academic or official prose with an abstract object such as trust, hostility, or debate.

## Examples

- Poor planning often engenders stress in teams.
- The new policy engendered trust between managers and staff after months of tension.
- The wartime shortages engendered a culture of thrift that persisted long after prosperity returned to the cities.

## Synonyms

cause, create, generate, produce, trigger, Breed, spawn

## Usage notes

- Transitive; takes a direct object, often an abstract noun such as fear, trust, or conflict.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.