Nourish — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb /ˈnər-ish/ nour·ish

Meaning & Definition of Nourish

Nourish (verb)

  1. nurture, rear
  2. to promote the growth of
  3. to furnish or sustain with nutriment, feed

Nourish (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to help the growth or development of

    "wanted to nourish her students' love of art"

    similar: advance, cultivate, encourage, forward, foster, further, incubate, nurse, nurture, promote
    related: advocate, back, champion, endorse, support, uphold, endow, finance, fund, patronize, stake, subsidize, underwrite, abet, aid, assist, advertise, boost, plug, publicize, tout, agitate (for), campaign (for), work (for)
    opposite: discourage, frustrate, hinder, inhibit
    near: ban, bar, enjoin, forbid, interdict, outlaw, prevent, prohibit, proscribe, battle, combat, contend (with), counter, fight, oppose, repress, snuff (out), squash, squelch, stifle, subdue, suppress, arrest, check, halt, retard, encumber, fetter, hobble, impede, interfere (with), manacle, obstruct, shackle

  2. to supply with nourishment

    "we've always been nourished by such good food when staying at their house"

    similar: nurture, sustain
    related: sate, satiate, satisfy, nurse, suckle, cloy, fill, surfeit, fortify, replenish, strengthen, feed, board, cater, provision, victual

  3. to bring to maturity through care and education

    "he willingly nourished a child that was not his own"

    similar: breed, bring up, foster, nurse, raise, rear
    related: father, mother, attend, care (for), cradle, cultivate, mind, minister (to), nurture, watch, discipline, educate, instruct, mentor, school, teach, train, tutor, edify, enlighten, indoctrinate, feed, provide (for), supply, advance, forward, further, promote, prepare, direct, guide, lead, shepherd, show
    near: abuse, ill-treat, ill-use, maltreat, mishandle, mistreat, ignore, neglect, harm, hurt, injure

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Nourish

The most common words with a similar meaning to Nourish:

advance, cultivate, encourage, forward, foster, further, incubate, nurse, nurture, promote, sustain, breed, bring up, raise, rear

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Nourish

Words with the opposite meaning of Nourish:

discourage, frustrate, hinder, inhibit

Related Words for Nourish

advocate, back, champion, endorse, support, uphold, endow, finance, fund, patronize, stake, subsidize, underwrite, abet, aid, assist, advertise, boost, plug, publicize, tout, agitate (for), campaign (for), work (for), sate, satiate, satisfy, suckle, cloy, fill

Near Antonyms of Nourish

ban, bar, enjoin, forbid, interdict, outlaw, prevent, prohibit, proscribe, battle, combat, contend (with), counter, fight, oppose, repress, snuff (out), squash, squelch, stifle, subdue, suppress, arrest, check, halt, retard, encumber, fetter, hobble, impede

Word Forms of Nourish

Inflections: nourished, nourishing, nourishes

Derived words: nourisher (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Nourish

Middle English nurishen, from Anglo-French nuriss-, stem of nurrir, norrir, from Latin nutrire to suckle, nourish; akin to Greek nan to flow, noteros damp, Sanskrit snauti it drips

First known use: 14th century

Frequently Asked Questions about Nourish

What does "Nourish" mean?

"Nourish" means nurture, rear. As a verb, it is defined as: nurture, rear. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Nourish"?

Other words for "Nourish" include advance, cultivate, encourage, forward, foster, further, incubate and nurse. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Nourish" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Nourish"?

There are 81 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Nourish". Common alternatives include advance, cultivate, encourage, forward, foster, further, incubate, nurse, nurture and promote.

What is the opposite of "Nourish"?

Antonyms of "Nourish" include discourage, frustrate, hinder and inhibit. Near antonyms include ban, bar, enjoin and forbid.

How do you use "Nourish" in a sentence?

Examples of "Nourish" in a sentence: "wanted to nourish her students' love of art"; "we've always been nourished by such good food when staying at their house"; "he willingly nourished a child that was not his own".

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

"Nourish" is a verb.

How do you pronounce "Nourish"?

"Nourish" is pronounced /ˈnər-ish/ and divided into syllables as nour·ish.

What is the origin of the word "Nourish"?

"Nourish" comes from Middle English nurishen, from Anglo-French nuriss-, stem of nurrir, norrir, from Latin nutrire to suckle, nourish; akin to Greek nan to flow, noteros damp, Sanskrit snauti it drips. First known use: 14th century.