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
The return of blue-book exams might disadvantage students who were encouraged to master typing at a young age.
—
Hua Hsu, New Yorker, 30 June 2025
Rather, retrogrades should be viewed from the perspective that their energy is encouraging us to reflect, reconnect and review parts of our own lives.
—Kyle Thomas, People.com, 29 June 2025
The 1200-square-foot space fits a maximum of 20 customers, so reservations are encouraged, especially at first.
—Jenna Thompson, Kansas City Star, 29 June 2025
These plays still aren’t consistent from Ivey, but look for the Pistons to put him in more pick-and-roll situations to encourage more growth in that department.
—Hunter Patterson, New York Times, 18 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for encourage
Hua Hsu, New Yorker, 30 June 2025
Rather, retrogrades should be viewed from the perspective that their energy is encouraging us to reflect, reconnect and review parts of our own lives.
—Kyle Thomas, People.com, 29 June 2025
The 1200-square-foot space fits a maximum of 20 customers, so reservations are encouraged, especially at first.
—Jenna Thompson, Kansas City Star, 29 June 2025
These plays still aren’t consistent from Ivey, but look for the Pistons to put him in more pick-and-roll situations to encourage more growth in that department.
—Hunter Patterson, New York Times, 18 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for encourage
Recent Examples of Synonyms for encourage
Verb
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Instead, the character inspired by her own love story is played by Hacks star Megan Stalter, with a cast of up-and-comers rounding out the ensemble of the Netflix comedy-drama that’s sure to generate plenty of conversation.—
Elizabeth Logan,
Glamour,
1 July 2025
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Sánchez wore a custom wedding dress by Dolce & Gabbana inspired by classic 1950s bridal fashion.—
Renan Botelho,
Footwear News,
1 July 2025
Verb
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Target has tapped the promotional strategy frequently in recent years, cutting or maintaining prices on important seasonal categories such as toys or Thanksgiving meal supplies, while also promoting lists of related items as falling under a certain amount.—
Glen Luke Flanagan,
Fortune,
30 June 2025
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Trump promoted tax cuts and border security among the provisions to support in the legislation.—
Bart Jansen,
USA Today,
30 June 2025
Verb
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News of the plan, which was developed by city administrators but has not been publicly vetted or discussed, has provoked considerable consternation in political, downtown, cultural and preservation circles.—
Andres Viglucci,
Miami Herald,
26 June 2025
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Furthermore, a closure would also provoke Iran's market in Asia, particularly China, which accounts for a majority of Iranian oil exports.—
Lim Hui Jie,
CNBC,
23 June 2025
Verb
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Then comes a video of Sam Smith as a toddler being urged to kick a ball in the hallway of the family home, followed straight after by the striker’s acrobatic finish to put Wrexham 2-0 up just three minutes on from Rathbone’s opener.—
Richard Sutcliffe,
New York Times,
27 June 2025
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In December, the libertarian Cato Institute published an article urging Trump to privatize the system.—
Joe Hernandez,
NPR,
27 June 2025
Verb
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Spanish-Speaking Cannabis Creators Santa Tuca (Alan) – A prominent Argentine cannabis creator and community leader, Santa Tuca has cultivated an audience of 80,000+ on Instagram with creative grow-op tours, event coverage, and lifestyle content.—
Javier Hasse,
Forbes.com,
24 June 2025
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In each case, growing landlessness and the pressure to cultivate cash crops reduced local resilience in the face of prolonged droughts and other disasters, such as outbreaks of bubonic plague and cattle disease.—
Michael Albertus,
Foreign Affairs,
24 June 2025
Verb
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The Cancer new moon stimulates your visionary capacities.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
25 June 2025
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In fact, scientists say today's children are exposed to far fewer antigens—the components that stimulate immune responses—than their grandparents were, despite receiving more immunizations overall.—
Gabe Whisnant,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 June 2025
Verb
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The president initially appeared to favor a delay in any attack to give diplomatic efforts more time, nudging Iran to come to the table to discuss curtailing its nuclear program.—
Shelby Talcott,
semafor.com,
22 June 2025
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Most sectors are lower, though telecoms nudged slightly higher, with Vodafone up 1% after announcing Pilar López would join the company from Microsoft as its chief financial officer from October.—
Ganesh Rao,Jenni Reid,Holly Ellyatt,
CNBC,
19 June 2025
Verb
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By leveraging technology to provide transparency in account activities and educate clients on their financial behaviors, institutions can foster trust and engagement, ensuring customers feel informed and empowered in their financial decisions.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
26 June 2025
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Per the release, Tommy’s responsibilities will include attending local events and presentations, fostering a positive relationship between police and residents, participating in employee wellness events, visiting schools and educational institutions and providing comfort to those in crisis.—
Aurora Beacon-News,
Chicago Tribune,
25 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Encourage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/encourage. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.
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