ENCOURAGEMENT Synonyms: 31 Similar and Opposite Words

encouragement

noun

in-ˈkər-ij-mənt

Definition of encouragement

as in incentive

something that arouses action or activity the huge rebates that the auto companies were offering were all the encouragement I needed to buy a new car

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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of encouragement Angela recalled him providing clothing, shoes and money to people experiencing homelessness, along with the words of encouragement that came naturally to him. — Kansas City Star, 28 Aug. 2026 As captured by a parent, a note that Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library sent to its graduates includes kind words and encouragement from the star. — Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 27 Aug. 2026 Amita Rao Following her success as Issa on the celebrated dark comedy Adults, and thanks to the encouragement of co-stars Owen Thiele and Malik Elassal, 27-year-old actress Amita Rao indulged in a few first-time splurges. — Jonathan Borge, InStyle, 27 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 See All Example Sentences for encouragement

Recent Examples of Synonyms for encouragement

Noun

States got creative with all sorts of financial incentives, from million-dollar prizes to college scholarships.

— Adam Zimmerman, STAT, 11 Sep. 2026
The suspension has already squeezed Indian exporters, as Dubai has long served as a key commercial hub for India's trade with Iran, giving India a direct economic incentive.

— Kyra Colah, FOXNews.com, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of incentive

Noun

But the original impetus concerned women not having to get their Manolo Blahniks stuck in the mud.

— Antonia Hitchens, New Yorker, 4 Sep. 2026
The Jets have no impetus to rush a trade — and Jets fans are well-versed in Cheveldayoff’s stubborn patience from Jacob Trouba’s 2016 contract holdout and trades involving Evander Kane, Trouba, Patrik Laine and Pierre-Luc Dubois.

— James Mirtle, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of impetus

Noun

But any economic stimulus program runs the risk of causing inflation to spike, and many economists believe the pandemic-era stimulus was at least partially responsible for the rise in consumer prices that ensued over the following years.

— Joe Walsh, CBS News, 10 Sep. 2026
The edit intercuts old film reels, both archival B-roll and seeming home movies, to hint at how all these new stimuli jog Brooke’s memory.

— Marshall Shaffer, IndieWire, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of stimulus

Browse Nearby Words

encouraged

encouragement

encouragements

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“Encouragement.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/encouragement. Accessed 14 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of encouragement

noun

Example Sentences

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