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

• 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

While the movement has yet to gain traction on this side of the pond, Americans have needed little outside encouragement to get in on the secondhand shopping trend, both online, led by marketplaces like ThredUp and The Real Real, and in thrift stores. —Pamela N. Danziger, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025

Pym was in need of encouragement. —Literary Hub, 15 Sep. 2025

But despite the glaring issues facing West Ham, Potter saw signs of encouragement for upcoming games against Palace and Everton. —Roshane Thomas, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2025

In January 2023, the Green Lantern actor revealed the company may have never existed without Lauren's encouragement. —Alyssa Davis, PEOPLE, 14 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1549, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for encouragement

• discouragement