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

Maihi notes that shifting the narrative requires moving beyond general encouragement and toward practical visibility. —Daniel Fusch, USA Today, 8 May 2026

But with sufficient encouragement, the frogs did jump — some more readily and further than others. —Andrew Graham may 6, Sacbee.com, 6 May 2026

In her seven months as president of Beast Industry Studios, Henson has noticed Donaldson growing more patient and fine-tuning his sense of when employees need encouragement. —Sean Gregory, Time, 6 May 2026

Need encouragement to release your photos from your smartphone and finally print them? —Jennifer Prince, Southern Living, 4 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1549, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for encouragement

• discouragement