Meaning & use

fostering

verb·Academic

Encouraging the growth or development of a feeling, idea, or activity over time.

See it in a sentence

The teacher's patience was key to fostering a genuine love of reading in her students.

The program is aimed at fostering closer ties between neighboring towns.

A note on using this word

Foster also describes raising a child who is not one's own by birth, as in a fostering family caring for a child temporarily.

Words with a similar meaning

encouragingnurturing

Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.

Words with an opposite meaning

hindering

Another way to use it

2. verb

To bring up a child who is not one's own, typically on a temporary basis.

They have been fostering children for the local authority for over a decade.

Make it your own

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