engender

[ en-jen-der ]

verb (used with object)

1. to produce, cause, or give rise to:

   Hatred engenders violence.

   Synonyms: breed, generate, create, excite, occasion, beget

2. to beget; procreate.

   Synonyms: breed, generate, create

verb (used without object)

1. to be produced or caused; come into existence:

   Conditions for a war were engendering in Europe.

engender

/ ɪnˈdʒɛndə /

verb

1. tr to bring about or give rise to; produce or cause
2. to be born or cause to be born; bring or come into being

Derived Forms

• enˈgenderment, noun
• enˈgenderer, noun

Other Words From

• en·gender·er noun
• en·gender·ment noun
• unen·gendered adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of engender¹

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English, from Old French engendrer, from Latin ingenerāre, from in- en- ¹ + generāre “to beget” ( generate )

Word History and Origins

Origin of engender¹

C14: from Old French engendrer, from Latin ingenerāre, from generāre to beget

Example Sentences

Mr. Trump has said that “real power” is the ability to engender fear, and he seems to have achieved that.

From Salon

But though these art objects carry the weight of centuries of defeats and conquests, they can’t alone engender a cultural identity.

From Los Angeles Times

This too may be characteristic of a Dame, although pairing that with her unstuffy humor and refreshingly proletarian quick wit engendered in us a familiarity.

From Salon

And yet, for all of “The Substance”’s stomach-flipping, ear-plugging content, what left me the most affected by the film was the raw emotion it engendered.

From Salon

She engenders compassion as Elisabeth grapples with her aging body, and a scene where she is enfeebled and struggles to get out of a chair is both achingly painful and achingly funny.

From Salon

Related Words

• arouse
• beget
• breed
• bring about
• foment
• generate
• incite
• induce
• instigate
• lead to
• precipitate
• provoke
• spawn
• stimulate
• stir