What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
harten
Example
The team's loss only served to harten their resolve to win the next game. [harten: verb]
Example
The experience of living abroad has harten my character and made me more adaptable. [harten: verb]
embolden
Example
The support of her friends emboldened her to pursue her dream of starting her own business. [emboldened: past tense]
Example
The success of the first project emboldened the team to tackle more challenging tasks. [emboldened: past participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Embolden is more commonly used than harten in everyday language. Embolden is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while harten is less common and is typically used in more specific contexts, such as sports or military.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between harten and embolden?
Both harten and embolden are relatively formal words and are typically used in more serious or motivational contexts, such as speeches or essays.