1
Create an attitude
Cause people to develop trust, sympathy, fear, or another response.
Example
The transparent review process was designed to engender trust in the institution.
engender
/ɪnˈdʒɛndər/ · en-JEN-derverb
Cause a feeling, condition, or situation to develop.
Use engender when an action, idea, or condition brings about a response such as trust, debate, fear, or cooperation.
What engender Really Means
The word becomes easier to use when its closely related senses are separated and compared.
2
Generate discussion
Produce debate, controversy, or renewed attention around an issue.
Example
The unexpected result engendered debate about the model's assumptions.
3
Bring about a condition
Set in motion a broader social or organisational state.
Example
Shared goals can engender cooperation among former rivals.
Use engender Naturally
Notice how the surrounding noun or clause reveals the exact shade of meaning.
The transparent review process was designed to engender trust in the institution.
Shared goals can engender cooperation among former rivals.
The discovery engendered new interest in a region long neglected by archaeologists.
Precision Matters
Engender overlaps with several common words, but each carries a different emphasis.
engender
vs.Often describes producing an abstract response or condition.
cause
Is the broadest term for making anything happen.
engender
vs.Can initiate the response or condition.
foster
Encourages the continued development of something already possible.
engender
vs.Brings the response into existence.
elicit
Draws out a response that a prompt or stimulus produces.
engender
vs.Often concerns broad attitudes or social conditions.
induce
Often causes a specific action, state, or physiological effect.
Test engender in Context
The transparent process is intended to cause trust to develop.
1
By publishing every stage of the selection process and explaining each decision, the committee hoped to engender public trust in the institution.
As used in the text, “engender” most nearly means…