Engender — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb /in-ˈjen-dər/ en·gen·der

Meaning & Definition of Engender

Engender (verb)

  1. beget, procreate
  2. to cause to exist or to develop, produce
  3. to assume form, originate

Engender (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to be the cause of (a situation, action, or state of mind)

    "a suggestion to go out for pizza that didn't seem to engender any interest"

    similar: beget, breed, bring, bring about, bring on, catalyze, cause, create, do, draw on, effect, effectuate, generate, induce, invoke, make, occasion, produce, prompt, result (in), spawn, translate (into), work, yield, bring forth, give rise to
    related: conduce (to), contribute (to), decide, determine, begin, establish, father, found, inaugurate, initiate, innovate, institute, introduce, launch, pioneer, set, set up, start, advance, cultivate, develop, encourage, forward, foster, further, nourish, nurture, promote, enact, render, turn out
    near: impede, limit, restrict, clamp down (on), crack down (on), crush, dampen, put down, quash, quell, repress, smother, squash, squelch, stifle, subdue, suppress, arrest, check, control, curb, inhibit, rein (in), restrain, retard, can (slang), kill, snuff (out), still, abolish, demolish, destroy, extinguish, liquidate, quench

  2. to come into existence

    "feelings of confidence and independence that were only just beginning to engender within her"

    similar: actualize, appear, arise, begin, break, commence, dawn, form, materialize, originate, set in, spring, start
    related: be, breathe, exist, live, subsist, arrive, come on, emerge, coalesce, cohere, shape (up), continue, endure, last, persist, survive
    opposite: cease, end, stop
    near: conclude, desist, discontinue, finish, halt, quit, terminate, disappear, dissolve, evaporate, vanish, depart, die, expire, pass away, perish

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Engender

The most common words with a similar meaning to Engender:

beget, breed, bring, bring about, bring on, catalyze, cause, create, do, draw on, effect, effectuate, generate, induce, invoke, make, occasion, produce, prompt, result (in), spawn, translate (into), work, yield, actualize, appear, arise, begin, break, commence, dawn, form, materialize, originate, set in, spring, start, bring forth, give rise to

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Engender

Words with the opposite meaning of Engender:

cease, end, stop

Related Words for Engender

conduce (to), contribute (to), decide, determine, establish, father, found, inaugurate, initiate, innovate, institute, introduce, launch, pioneer, set, set up, advance, cultivate, develop, encourage, forward, foster, further, nourish, nurture, promote, enact, render, turn out, be

Near Antonyms of Engender

impede, limit, restrict, clamp down (on), crack down (on), crush, dampen, put down, quash, quell, repress, smother, squash, squelch, stifle, subdue, suppress, arrest, check, control, curb, inhibit, rein (in), restrain, retard, can, kill, snuff (out), still, abolish

Word Forms of Engender

Inflections: engendered, engendering

Origin & Etymology of Engender

Middle English engendren, from Anglo-French engendrer, from Latin ingenerare, from in- + generare to generate

First known use: 14th centuryt

Frequently Asked Questions about Engender

What does "Engender" mean?

"Engender" means beget, procreate. As a verb, it is defined as: beget, procreate. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Engender"?

Other words for "Engender" include beget, breed, bring, bring about, bring on, catalyze, cause and create. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Engender" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Engender"?

There are 84 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Engender". Common alternatives include beget, breed, bring, bring about, bring on, catalyze, cause, create, do and draw on.

What is the opposite of "Engender"?

Antonyms of "Engender" include cease, end and stop. Near antonyms include impede, limit, restrict and clamp down (on).

How do you use "Engender" in a sentence?

Examples of "Engender" in a sentence: "a suggestion to go out for pizza that didn't seem to engender any interest"; "feelings of confidence and independence that were only just beginning to engender within her".

Is "Engender" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Engender" is a verb.

How do you pronounce "Engender"?

"Engender" is pronounced /in-ˈjen-dər/ and divided into syllables as en·gen·der.

What is the origin of the word "Engender"?

"Engender" comes from Middle English engendren, from Anglo-French engendrer, from Latin ingenerare, from in- + generare to generate. First known use: 14th centuryt.