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
She’s offered words of compassion and advice, encouraging one man who was considering a xenotransplant to follow his heart and lean into his faith.
—
Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 6 Feb. 2025
State lawmakers encouraged the dramatic growth of the data center industry by offering lucrative tax breaks in the name of bringing jobs to rural areas.
—Lulu Ramadan, ProPublica, 5 Feb. 2025
The centers offer therapeutic services to children with autism that aim to encourage positive behaviors and improve social skills.
—Ginny Monk, Hartford Courant, 5 Feb. 2025
The Hair Bros—aka hairstylists Nick Latham and Sean Paul Nother—are encouraging us to take a leaf out of their book and channel that '80s librarian main character energy by embracing our cowlicks.
—Fiona Embleton, Glamour, 25 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for encourage 
Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 6 Feb. 2025
State lawmakers encouraged the dramatic growth of the data center industry by offering lucrative tax breaks in the name of bringing jobs to rural areas.
—Lulu Ramadan, ProPublica, 5 Feb. 2025
The centers offer therapeutic services to children with autism that aim to encourage positive behaviors and improve social skills.
—Ginny Monk, Hartford Courant, 5 Feb. 2025
The Hair Bros—aka hairstylists Nick Latham and Sean Paul Nother—are encouraging us to take a leaf out of their book and channel that '80s librarian main character energy by embracing our cowlicks.
—Fiona Embleton, Glamour, 25 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for encourage
Recent Examples of Synonyms for encourage
Verb
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Drawing on his own life experiences and inspired by friends and acquaintances he’s met along the way, filmmaker Adam Elliot has landed himself an Academy Award nomination for his decidedly not kid-friendly stopmotion film Memoir of a Snail.—
David Morgan,
Deadline,
8 Feb. 2025
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The spy thriller series is inspired by a real-life undercover operation that enlists female operatives known as Lionesses.—
Catherine Santino,
People.com,
8 Feb. 2025
Verb
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She also was criticized for promoting her hair care brand during the press tour.—
Martha Ross,
The Mercury News,
6 Feb. 2025
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Since its inception, more than 1 million citations for a free DQ ice cream cone have been issued to youth, highlighting the program’s success in promoting helmet use and safety awareness among children.—
Julia Fomby,
Twin Cities,
6 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Use These 5 Tips To Address Communication Issues In Relationships By Darlin Tillery Life & Trends Reporter 0 A spouse's dilemma on whether to secretly pay off the couple's mortgage with a gift from a wealthy relative has provoked a flurry of opinions online.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
30 Jan. 2025
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Watercolours and its surprisingly competent pictures will enliven any coffee table—and surely provoke more than a few visitors to thumb its pages and reflect on Charles’s varied interests.—
Allie Merriam,
Vogue,
30 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Perry urges that there needs to be a strong and unrelenting response to these attacks, something Democrats haven’t been doing with nearly enough force.—
Brea Baker,
refinery29.com,
3 Feb. 2025
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In the first days of his second term, Trump also signed the Laken Riley Act, which urges immigration officers to detain unauthorized immigrants when arrested for crimes like burglary, theft, larceny, and shoplifting or assaulting a law enforcement officer.—
Taylor Ardrey,
USA TODAY,
3 Feb. 2025
Verb
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His rise exemplifies how the new generation of artists are rewriting the rules of success—leveraging social media to cultivate a following before stepping into the traditional industry spotlight.—
Hala Mustafa,
Billboard,
31 Jan. 2025
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Finally, American Jews must work to cultivate solidarity.—
Hannah Rosenthal and David Saperstein,
Newsweek,
29 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Implement screen-free breaks Blue light from our phone screens stimulates the production of cortisol, a stress hormone, said Larry Rosen, professor emeritus at California State University at Dominguez Hills and co-author of numerous books on the psychology of technology.—
The Washington Post,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
4 Feb. 2025
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Next, Tracey's team learned how to stimulate the vagus nerve in a way that activates the anti-inflammation reflex.—
Jon Hamilton,
NPR,
3 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Carpenter is going to be a mainstream presence for a very long time whatever happens on Grammy night, but multiple general category wins would nudge a remarkable upward trajectory even higher.—
Jason Lipshutz,
Billboard,
31 Jan. 2025
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Recent studies speculate that massive depopulation, especially in the Americas, which removed the torch and allowed forests to reclaim land and so sequester atmospheric carbon, may have even helped nudge the planet into the Little Ice Age from the mid-16th to mid-19th centuries.—
Stephen Pyne,
Smithsonian Magazine,
29 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Good veterinary practice involves not just medical treatment, but also clear communication with pet owners to foster trust and ensure an animal's well-being.—
David Faris,
Newsweek,
2 Feb. 2025
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As Mayor, my focus will always remain on achieving results for the people of Boynton Beach, ensuring accountability, and fostering a government that works for everyone.—
Courtlandt McQuire,
Sun Sentinel,
1 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near encourage
Cite this Entry
“Encourage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/encourage. Accessed 11 Feb. 2025.
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