encouragement

noun

en·​cour·​age·​ment in-ˈkər-ij-mənt 

-ˈkə-rij-, 

en-

1

: the act of encouraging : the state of being encouraged

2

: something that encourages

Synonyms of encouragement

• incentive
• impetus
• motivation
• stimulus

Examples of encouragement in a Sentence

Our aim is the encouragement of investment.

the encouragement of plant growth

teachers who give their students a lot of encouragement

With support and encouragement from their parents, the students organized a fundraiser.

They offered him gifts of money and other encouragements.

Recent Examples on the Web

The England international will get fitter and play better from this point, but even in a friendly, there were several notes of encouragement. — Beren Cross, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2026

Such oversight, with the encouragement and involvement of state legislators, is very much needed. — John Kostyack, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026

So my encouragement to young Latino artists out there is to keep creating and don’t be afraid of creating. — Julyssa Lopez, Rolling Stone, 12 Aug. 2026

With encouragement from Jimmy Carter, the former governor of Georgia and then US President, the Torrey-West family sold Ossabaw Island to the State of Georgia for $8 million in 1978. — Maximilíano Durón, ARTnews.com, 11 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1549, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for encouragement

• discouragement