encourage

verb en·cour·age \ in-ˈkər-ij , -ˈkə-rij , en- \

|Updated on: 7 Jul 2018

Tip: Synonym Guide

Examples: encourage in a Sentence

Definition of encourage

encouraged; encouraging

transitive verb

1 a : to inspire with courage, spirit, or hope : hearten

she was encouraged to continue by her early success

b : to attempt to persuade : urge

they encouraged him to go back to school

2 : to spur on : stimulate

warm weather encourages plant growth

3 : to give help or patronage to : foster

government grants designed to encourage conservation

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encourager

noun

See encourage defined for English-language learners

See encourage defined for kids

Examples of encourage in a Sentence

They encouraged us in our work.
Encourage each other with kind words.
The program is meant to encourage savings.
Warm weather encourages plant growth.
He claims the new regulations will encourage investment.
He claims the new regulations will encourage people to invest.
We want to encourage students to read more.
My parents encouraged me to go back to college.
They encouraged her to go.

Recent Examples of encourage from the Web

The Trump administration will break with this precedent, and will not actively encourage schools to diversify, the Times reported.

— adam harris, The Atlantic, "The Era of Affirmative Action May Not Last Much Longer," 3 July 2018
Village officials said those attending are encouraged to bring blankets and chairs.

— staff report, Aurora Beacon-News, "Parades, fireworks in store for Aurora area on Fourth of July," 3 July 2018
According to NBC News, the CDC has expressed concern that using e-cigarettes will encourage teens to pick up cigarette smoking, too.

— Houston Chronicle, "Hookah health news from your very own galaxy," 1 July 2018
Warren, of no relation to the U.S. senator of the same name, said the move will encourage party unity.

— michael livingston, latimes.com, "A changing electorate has pushed Republicans out of this Assembly district," 1 July 2018
England, along with Belgium, has already secured a spot in the round of 16 and Miles hopes the loophole will encourage more supporters to fly to Russia for the knockout stage.

— rob harris, Fox News, "Loophole exposed to get easier entry to World Cup in Russia," 28 June 2018
Labor experts say this will likely encourage teachers to maintain their union membership.

— New York Times, "What the Supreme Court’s Janus Decision Means for Teacher Unions," 27 June 2018
Friday night in Milwaukee, Connie Lim will encourage victims of abuse and oppression to speak up.

— piet levy, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "In the Trump era, the sounds at Summerfest are becoming more political," 27 June 2018
The thinking has been that requiring workers to shoulder more of the cost of care will also encourage them to cut back on unnecessary spending.

— john tozzi, Bloomberg.com, "Sky-High Deductibles Broke the U.S. Health Insurance System," 26 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'encourage.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of encourage

Middle English encoragen, from Anglo-French encorager, from en- + curage courage

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

encourage Synonyms

Synonym Discussion of encourage

encourage, inspirit, hearten, embolden mean to fill with courage or strength of purpose. encourage suggests the raising of one's confidence especially by an external agency.

- the teacher's praise encouraged the students to greater efforts

inspirit, somewhat literary, implies instilling life, energy, courage, or vigor into something.

- patriots inspirited the people to resist

hearten implies the lifting of dispiritedness or despondency by an infusion of fresh courage or zeal.

- a hospital patient heartened by good news

embolden implies the giving of courage sufficient to overcome timidity or reluctance.

- emboldened by her first success, she tried an even more difficult climb

ENCOURAGE Defined for English Language Learners

encourage

verb

Definition of encourage for English Language Learners

: to make (someone) more determined, hopeful, or confident
: to make (something) more appealing or more likely to happen
: to make (someone) more likely to do something : to tell or advise (someone) to do something