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

Fulham are outplayed but given encouragement, going behind, clawing back, Josh King a dervish, behind again, edging back, seeing more of the ball and pushing for a draw. — George Caulkin, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026

Look for environments where children are given the time, tools, and encouragement to do age-appropriate things for themselves. — Jose Bolaños, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Aug. 2026

In 2018, Katie Carringer was working as an administrative assistant at a drug rehab facility and made an appointment with Towers at the encouragement of her boss. — Amy Yurkanin, ProPublica, 24 Aug. 2026

Palmer himself paced the room on a phone call, doling out smiles of encouragement and inspiring a hushed reverence in his wake. — Colleen McNally Arnett, Southern Living, 20 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1549, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for encouragement

• discouragement