鼓舞|こぶkobu[1]atamadaka (head-high)

1. noun, suru verb, transitive verbencouragement; inspiration; rousing; stirring up; raising (e.g. morale)
   将校しょうこうは部下ぶかを鼓舞こぶして勇気ゆうきを出ださせた。↗

   The officer inspired his men to be brave.

• Synonym激励げきれいWrittenWritten word for spurring someone on, as in 「激励会」 or 「激励の言葉」; it focuses on pumping up effort rather than rousing morale.
• Synonym励ますはげますNeutralThe everyday verb for encouraging or cheering someone on; it leans toward comfort and consolation, while 「鼓舞」 rouses spirit.
• Synonym励ましはげましNeutralNoun for an act or words of encouragement; at home in both speech and writing, unlike the rousing tone of 「鼓舞」.
• Synonym力づけるちからづけるNeutralVerb for giving someone strength and encouragement, with an emphasis on comfort and support; 「鼓舞」 instead rouses morale and fighting spirit.
• Synonym勇気づけるゆうきづけるNeutralVerb for giving someone courage; the emphasis is on building up confidence rather than rousing morale.
• Synonym元気づけるげんきづけるCasualColloquial verb for pepping someone up; used to lift a person who is feeling low, closer to cheering up than rousing morale.
• Related応援おうえんNeutralCheering on or supporting someone — rooting for them from the sidelines or lending aid; it backs a person rather than rousing their spirit.
• Related声援せいえんNeutralCheering someone on aloud, as in 「声援を送る」; the support is given through voices, wherever the person is, rather than by stirring their resolve.
• Related叱咤しったWrittenWritten word for loudly scolding or spurring someone on, mostly in 「叱咤激励」; it drives people with stern severity.
• Related勧奨かんしょうFormalFormal word for urging people to do something, typical of official documents; it recommends an action rather than rousing spirit.
• Related奨励しょうれいWrittenWritten word for actively promoting or encouraging a practice, often with rewards; it spreads a behaviour rather than lifting morale.
• Related鼓吹こすいWrittenWritten word that leans toward advocating or trumpeting an idea, sometimes with a whiff of propaganda; it can also mean rousing morale, but its focus is promotion.
• Related策励さくれいWrittenWritten and rather rare word for urging or spurring someone on, like a whip; it drives effort rather than lifting spirits.
• Related督励とくれいWrittenWritten word for a superior supervising and spurring on subordinates; the stress is on pressing people to work, not lifting morale.
• Antonym落胆らくたんWrittenWritten antonym for losing heart or feeling dejected; it is the low spirits that 「鼓舞」 works to dispel.
• Antonym萎縮いしゅくWrittenWritten antonym for shrinking back or wilting in spirit; the direct opposite of 「鼓舞」.

Use 「鼓舞」 to rouse morale and fighting spirit, as in 「士気を鼓舞する」. To spur on, pick 「激励」, to comfort and encourage 「励ます」, to cheer on 「応援」, to drive sternly 「叱咤」; antonym: 「萎縮」. Verbs like 「力づける」「勇気づける」「元気づける」 build strength, confidence or pep; 「督励」「策励」 press people on; 「奨励」「勧奨」 promote an action; 「鼓吹」 advocates an idea; 「声援」 is vocal backing; 「落胆」 is dejection, the other antonym.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

1. 太鼓たいこを打うって舞まいを舞まうこと。
2. はげまし勇気ゆうき付つける、奮い立ふるいたたせること。