hearten

/ˈhɑrtn/

Other forms: heartened; heartening; heartens

Things that hearten you cheer you up. A welcome home party will hearten even the weariest traveler.

You might buy flowers for your grandmother to hearten her after a difficult week, or hearten a shy tap dancer with applause after his routine. Things that encourage or inspire, whether it's the sight of your dog waiting for you outside school or another person's success, can also be said to hearten. The figurative meaning of heart — as in "losing heart" or having a "change of heart" — is at the root of hearten, from the Old English heorte, "heart, soul, or spirit."

Definitions of hearten

1. verb

   give encouragement to
   synonyms: buoy, cheer, embolden, recreate

   antonyms:

   dishearten

   take away the enthusiasm of

   types:

   buck up, take heart

   gain courage

   type of:

   encourage

   inspire with confidence; give hope or courage to