nurture
16 synonyms and 2 antonyms for nurture, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — Care and encouragement given to help someone or something grow and develop.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. noun
Care and encouragement given to help someone or something grow and develop.
“The plants thrived under her careful nurture.”
Opposites
How to use nurture
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
nature versus nurture
nurture a talent
nurture a relationship
Etymology
From Old French norriture, "nourishment", from Latin nutrire, "to nourish".
Full origin of nurture →Frequently asked questions
What does “nurture” mean?
The word “nurture” means care and encouragement given to help someone or something grow and develop. In plain terms, to care for and help something grow, or the environment and upbringing that shapes a person.
How do you pronounce “nurture”?
“Nurture” is pronounced NURR-chuhr (/ˈnɜːɹ.t͡ʃəɹ/ in IPA).
How do you use “nurture” in a sentence?
Here is “nurture” used in a sentence: “The plants thrived under her careful nurture.”
What is another word for “nurture”?
Words with a similar meaning to “nurture” include encourage, foster, feed, grow, cultivate and promote.
What is the opposite of “nurture”?
The opposite of “nurture” — its antonyms — are destroy and hinder.
What part of speech is “nurture”?
Depending on how it is used, “nurture” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “nurture” come from?
The word “nurture” comes from Latin. From Old French norriture, "nourishment", from Latin nutrire, "to nourish".
Is “nurture” a common word?
“Nurture” is an uncommon word in modern English.
