encouraging

1 of 2

adjective

en·​cour·​ag·​ing in-ˈkər-i-jiŋ 

-ˈkə-ri-, 

en-

: giving hope or promise

encouraging news

encouragingly

in-ˈkər-i-jiŋ-lē 

-ˈkə-ri-, 

en-

adverb

encouraging

2 of 2

present participle of encourage

Synonyms of encouraging

Adjective

• promising
• bright
• optimistic

Examples of encouraging in a Sentence

Adjective

We've just heard some encouraging news.

encouraging signs that the economy is improving

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Hendrickson had an encouraging showing in his Ravens debut as Baltimore dismantled the Indianapolis Colts. — Daniel Popper, New York Times, 16 Sep. 2026

The encouraging news is that there is no physical or chemical law preventing us from modifying these processes. — Venki Ramakrishnan, Scientific American, 15 Sep. 2026

In an encouraging development for the present and future, all three of the Jets’ first-round rookies flashed their potential during Sunday’s season-opening win. — Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 15 Sep. 2026

Take a small group of real prospects, offer them a genuine path to pay, and track how many actually convert, not how many say something encouraging. — Mustafa Abdelmonem, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1593, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for encouraging

• discouraging