1
as in to inspire
to fill with courage or strength of purpose
a pep talk that encouraged the team to get out there and win
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to promote
to help the growth or development of
asserted that the government should be encouraging small businesses, not smothering them with regulations
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to provoke
to rouse to strong feeling or action
the movie's cheap special effects will not encourage audiences to sit on the edge of their seats but to roll in the aisles with laughter
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to urge
to try to persuade (someone) through earnest appeals to follow a course of action
the pastor continues to encourage the couple to work out their problems in hopes of saving their marriage
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of encourage
Lavishing the scalp with extra TLC can be helpful too; after all, your hair grows from your scalp, and creating a healthy environment for follicles can encourage regrowth.
—
Kara Nesvig, Parents, 27 Feb. 2026
Blame an increase in digital technology, algorithms encouraging people to keep swiping onto the next thing, and increasingly blurry boundaries between work and personal time.
—Natalia V. Osipova, CNN Money, 27 Feb. 2026
Organizers encouraged visitors to purchase tickets early, as the remaining dates are limited and subject to change as temperatures rise.
—Christa Swanson, CBS News, 27 Feb. 2026
This keeps conditions damp and warm to encourage germination.
—Sheryl Geerts, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for encourage
Kara Nesvig, Parents, 27 Feb. 2026
Blame an increase in digital technology, algorithms encouraging people to keep swiping onto the next thing, and increasingly blurry boundaries between work and personal time.
—Natalia V. Osipova, CNN Money, 27 Feb. 2026
Organizers encouraged visitors to purchase tickets early, as the remaining dates are limited and subject to change as temperatures rise.
—Christa Swanson, CBS News, 27 Feb. 2026
This keeps conditions damp and warm to encourage germination.
—Sheryl Geerts, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for encourage
Recent Examples of Synonyms for encourage
Verb
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The cream contains a unique NCEF formula inspired by ingredients in cosmetic injectables.—
Cathy Nelson,
InStyle,
27 Feb. 2026
-
Some way short of the 467 made by his idol Vitor Baia, the Champions League-winning goalkeeper who inspired him to wear No 99 on his back, but hefty nonetheless.—
Jack Lang,
New York Times,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Efforts by the Kremlin to encourage more births had fallen flat, Sonin said, because women in Russia did not feel safe and secure, with the low birth rate direct evidence of that and effectively dispelling positive images of the country and war promoted by Russia and state-run media.—
Holly Ellyatt,
CNBC,
24 Feb. 2026
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Now, with Henderson back in the NFL, Jones got promoted in his place at USC.—
Ryan Kartje,
Los Angeles Times,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
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For the Mexican government, the battle against the cartels risks provoking violence across the country, as gang members retaliate against the security forces and battle each other.—
Tim Lister,
CNN Money,
23 Feb. 2026
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The play spoke eloquently to its own time but continued to provoke and inform in subsequent generations.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
22 Feb. 2026
Verb
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This is where the tension between the agency and legislators comes from, as lawmakers are urging a faster shift.—
Kate Wolffe,
Sacbee.com,
26 Feb. 2026
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This is the second year Lamont has urged the General Assembly to fund universal free breakfast.—
Sara Bedigian,
Hartford Courant,
25 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The game has cultivated a fanbase that is generally kind and patient, increasingly rare qualities in the gaming world, and online more broadly.—
Jacqui Palumbo,
CNN Money,
26 Feb. 2026
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But there are indeed upsides to living in New England during deep winter, one being the chance to amp up the hygge — the Danish term (pronounced hue-gah) for their concept of cultivating coziness.—
Gretta Monahan,
Boston Herald,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Broccoli, cauliflower, artichoke, endive, dandelion, cabbage, and chicory contain bitter compounds that stimulate bile production, which supports fat digestion, waste elimination, and hormonal balance—indirectly helping manage acid load.—
Mélanie Defouilloy,
Vogue,
24 Feb. 2026
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Part your hair in sections and dispense the product along the scalp, then massage it in for 30 to 60 seconds to help boost absorption and stimulate circulation.—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Small fixes prevent messes as information-gathering Mercury turns retrograde in your 6th House of Wellness, nudging you to refine routines and rest your body and mind.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
26 Feb. 2026
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That differential, while still high, at least nudges the concept out of the instantly dismissible category.—
Glenn Zorpette,
IEEE Spectrum,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Associating a public building with his name could risk alienating members of the community and fostering controversy rather than unity.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
24 Feb. 2026
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In the political aftermath, former and current leadership seized on the incident to fault Mamdani’s leadership, saying the mayor’s earlier criticisms of the NYPD had fostered a climate of disrespect for law enforcement.—
Claire Carter,
The Washington Examiner,
24 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Encourage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/encourage. Accessed 2 Mar. 2026.
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