embolden

/ɪmˈbəʊldən/ (bre, ipa) · /ɪmˈbəʊldən/ (ame, ipa) · /im-ˈbōl-dən/ (ame, mw)

embolden — verb

  • emboldenpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • emboldenshe / she / it
  • emboldenedpast simple
  • emboldening-ing form

1. to give someone the confidence or courage needed to do something that they were

1.動詞及物C1
釋義

to give someone the confidence or courage needed to do something that they were previously hesitant or afraid to attempt

例句

Supportive feedback from Anna's manager emboldened her to propose the new marketing plan.

embolden + object + to-infinitive for giving confidence

Emboldened by her professor's praise, Amara submitted her research paper to a national journal.

passive: emboldened by [source of confidence]

同義詞
  • encourage

    more common and less formal than embolden; used in everyday situations.

  • hearten

    emphasises lifting spirits or morale, often after a setback; slightly literary.

  • inspire

    focuses on filling someone with a strong desire to achieve something; broader in use.

反義詞
  • discourage

    the direct opposite; to make someone lose confidence or willingness to act.

  • daunt

    to make someone feel intimidated or less confident about doing something.

文法句型

embolden + object

embolden + object + to-infinitive

用法筆記

Often used in the passive form (be emboldened by) to name the cause of the increased confidence. The to-infinitive that follows states the action the person now feels ready to take.

常見錯誤

❌The speech emboldened that he speak up.
✅The speech emboldened him to speak up.
💡embolden takes a person as the object and a to-infinitive, not a that-clause.
❌The teacher emboldened the student.' (alone, no follow-up action stated)
✅The teacher emboldened the student to ask more questions.
💡the action the person is emboldened to do is almost always stated.