foster

verb

Definition of fosternext
1
as in to promote
to help the growth or development of the head librarian firmly declared that it is indeed the duty of local government to foster learning and a love of reading

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to raise
to bring to maturity through care and education a greathearted couple fostering two adopted children as well as three more of their own

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of foster Additionally, parental controls are provided to block harmful material and foster a kid-friendly environment. — George Yang, PC Magazine, 29 Sep. 2026 Maggie Yenchick, the nonprofit's assistant medical coordinator, answered the call to foster the three kittens. — Megan Shinn, CBS News, 29 Sep. 2026 Dedicated buyer delegations will be designed to foster new connections and business opportunities in these markets. — Advertorial, Footwear News, 29 Sep. 2026 FilmNation Entertainment Founder and CEO Glen Basner will receive the Game Changer Award this evening at the Zurich Summit, the annual industry event aimed at fostering transatlantic connections taking place within the Zurich Film Festival. — Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 27 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for foster
Recent Examples of Synonyms for foster
  1. promote
  2. raise
  3. encourage
  4. nurture
  5. cultivate
  6. breed
Verb
  • The group emphasized that its request isn't intended to promote robocalls.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 8 Oct. 2026
  • The actor stopped by The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon to promote their latest film, Digger (and gamely participate in a cooking segment with Wishbone Kitchen).
    — Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of promote
Verb
  • Key justices appeared wary about the potential sweep of litigation, but torn over the complex questions of federal and state law raised by the case.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Boat trips to Capri and Positano are on the doorstep, as are hair-raising Vespa tours on hairpin roads and private visits to Pompei and Herculaneum.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of raise
Verb
  • Unlike many spas that focus on the healing effects of treatments, Kamalaya goes much deeper, encouraging guests to explore more emotional issues in a safe space.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Still, Terry Strada, whose husband, Tom Strada, was killed in the attacks, said she was encouraged that more than 100 family members of 9/11 victims turned out and by the judges’ questions.
    — Tom Winter, NBC news, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of encourage
Verb
  • For four months, the Napa grower spent four to five hours a day tending four giant pumpkin plants, watching their vines, nurturing their fruit and waiting to see just how big one of them might get.
    — Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 4 Oct. 2026
  • Bellen's parents focused more on nurturing their children's gifts and interests like entrepreneurship and education and supporting their endeavors.
    — Kamaron McNair, CNBC, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of nurture
Verb
  • The grim scene was a stark contrast to the flamboyant public life the businessman had cultivated.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Cotton farmers represent an indispensable link in the upstream fashion supply chain, cultivating the very crops that make their way into garments spanning seasonality and circumstances, for brands ranging from mass market to luxury.
    — Kate Nishimura, Footwear News, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of cultivate
Verb
  • As a child of parents who bred him to be the next Green Lantern, John knows full well the conflict between conscience and instinct, a ceaseless war that threatens to explode to the surface.
    — Siddhant Adlakha, Vulture, 5 Oct. 2026
  • People should also check their property and get rid of any pooled water where mosquitoes might breed.
    — Mike Stobbe, Los Angeles Times, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of breed

Browse Nearby Words

fossils
foster
fosterage
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Foster.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/foster. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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