Entry Word: encourage

Function: verb

Meaning: 1 to fill with courage or strength of purpose <a pep talk that encouraged the team to get out there and win>

Synonyms buoy (up), cheer (up), comfort, embolden, hearten, inspire, steel

Related Words animate, enliven, invigorate; fortify, reinforce, strengthen; assure, reassure; boost, energize, excite, galvanize, provoke, quicken, rally, stimulate, stir

Near Antonyms demoralize, depress, sadden; debilitate, enfeeble, undermine, weaken

Antonyms daunt, discourage, dishearten, dispirit

2 to help the growth or development of <asserted that the government should be encouraging small businesses, not smothering them with regulations> — see foster 1
3 to rouse to strong feeling or action <the movieʼs cheap special effects will not encourage audiences to sit on the edge of their seats but to roll in the aisles with laughter> — see provoke 1
4 to try to persuade (someone) through earnest appeals to follow a course of action <the pastor continues to encourage the couple to work out their problems and to save their marriage> — see urge