encouraging

adjective

en·​cour·​ag·​ing in-ˈkər-i-jiŋ How to pronounce encouraging (audio)
-ˈkə-ri-,
en-
: giving hope or promise
encouraging news
encouragingly
in-ˈkər-i-jiŋ-lē How to pronounce encouraging (audio)
-ˈkə-ri-
en-
adverb

Examples of encouraging in a Sentence

We've just heard some encouraging news. encouraging signs that the economy is improving
Recent Examples on the Web The only encouraging note is that the two-time MVP isn’t expected to miss serious time, as he’s set for re-evaluation on Tuesday. Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 10 Mar. 2024 Mom Welcomes Her First Child at Age 50 After Dealing with Fibroids: 'Miracle Baby' Proud grandfather-to-be Deion, 56 — a former NFL and MLB athlete — commented on his daughter's candid video post, offering some encouraging words. Esme Mazzeo, Peoplemag, 10 Mar. 2024 More encouraging news is in the offing from retail sales, which probably picked up after a feeble January showing. USA TODAY, 10 Mar. 2024 Friday's report gave the inflation fighters at the Federal Reserve some encouraging news: Average hourly wages rose just 0.1% from January, the smallest monthly gain in more than two years, and 4.3% from a year earlier, less than expected. Paul Wiseman, Quartz, 9 Mar. 2024 Last year saw some encouraging recovery of seagrass in the Indian River Lagoon, the epicenter of the 2021 die-off. Jason Gulley Catrin Einhorn, New York Times, 7 Mar. 2024 The company mentioned that more young people were shopping the stores, which is encouraging and supports the long-term growth plans. Walter Loeb, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2024 The findings are encouraging to Indeed’s VP of social impact, Abbey Carlton. Jane Thier, Fortune, 27 Feb. 2024 The numbers are so encouraging, Vargo said, that the city will extend the arrangement at the police department at least until July. John Aguilar, The Mercury News, 22 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'encouraging.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1593, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of encouraging was in 1593

Dictionary Entries Near encouraging

Cite this Entry

“Encouraging.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/encouraging. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on encouraging

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!