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
In addition to Braun’s executive order, Attorney General Todd Rokita launched the Eyes on Education portal in 2024 that encourages residents to report divisive ideology in schools.
—
Amelia Pak-Harvey, IndyStar, 31 Oct. 2025
So Ford still plans to move forward with a $30,000 electric pickup, despite the lack of federal tax credits or regulations that would encourage it.
—Camila Domonoske, NPR, 31 Oct. 2025
But Martin Whittaker, JUST Capital’s CEO, is encouraged that so many shareholders think the gains should be shared with employees and customers.
—Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 31 Oct. 2025
Parents can help by staying connected to their child’s online world, setting clear screen limits, and encouraging face-to-face friendships and activities.
—Hannah Silverman, Parents, 31 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for encourage
Amelia Pak-Harvey, IndyStar, 31 Oct. 2025
So Ford still plans to move forward with a $30,000 electric pickup, despite the lack of federal tax credits or regulations that would encourage it.
—Camila Domonoske, NPR, 31 Oct. 2025
But Martin Whittaker, JUST Capital’s CEO, is encouraged that so many shareholders think the gains should be shared with employees and customers.
—Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 31 Oct. 2025
Parents can help by staying connected to their child’s online world, setting clear screen limits, and encouraging face-to-face friendships and activities.
—Hannah Silverman, Parents, 31 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for encourage
Recent Examples of Synonyms for encourage
Verb
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Its success inspired a wave of canal building in other states, although the economic benefit of these other canals is dubious in retrospect.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
26 Oct. 2025
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The aftermath of that crash inspired her branch of the Brown family tree to reshape the Louisville medical scene.—
Maggie Menderski,
Louisville Courier Journal,
26 Oct. 2025
Verb
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In 2019, Microsoft viewed the partnership and investment in OpenAI partly as a way to gain a foothold in AI and to help promote Azure’s AI capabilities.—
Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez,
Fortune,
30 Oct. 2025
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Plus, your purchase also supports the brand’s sustainable cotton sourcing initiative that promotes betting farming practices and protects the environment for extra peace of mind.—
Mariana Best,
Better Homes & Gardens,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Mercury in Sagittarius provokes your mind to venture into uncharted territory.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
29 Oct. 2025
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His art form is chaos, and the unrestrained fear that chaos can provoke.—
The Atlantic Culture Desk,
The Atlantic,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Porat closed by urging leaders to really dig in and reimagine what’s possible in their own organizations.—
Dave Smith,
Fortune,
26 Oct. 2025
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Anyone with information regarding this incident was urged to contact the Chandler Police Department at 480-782-4130.—
Wren Smetana,
AZCentral.com,
26 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Downstairs, a private VIC suite — the brand’s first in Europe — has been designed to support its growing clienteling program aimed at cultivating high-spending clients.—
Rhonda Richford,
Footwear News,
30 Oct. 2025
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The longtime garden enthusiast also added an adjacent parcel to further cultivate the picturesque grounds.—
Wendy Bowman,
Robb Report,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The effect remained strong even when cells were stimulated with TGFβ, a major fibrosis-triggering molecule.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
30 Oct. 2025
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The third-quarter data — which indicates an unexpected economic resiliency — comes ahead of the European Central Bank's next monetary policy decision, due later Thursday, and removes any immediate pressure on the central bank to cut rates to stimulate the economy.—
Holly Ellyatt,
CNBC,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Her leg nudges mine, the hem of her overalls inching up her thighs.—
Bailey Richards,
PEOPLE,
30 Oct. 2025
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Should that put the kibosh on a trade that will nudge Steph Curry closer to his fifth ring?—
Ricardo Sandoval,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
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But fostering creativity, curiosity, and empathy are also essential for organizations to remain competitive and resilient.—
Fortune Editors,
Fortune,
29 Oct. 2025
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For example, address personal medical risks and goals with specific preventive steps, such as fostering meaningful relationships to reduce stress or adopting a heart-healthy diet to reduce the risk of heart disease.—
Alexa Mikhail,
Flow Space,
29 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Encourage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/encourage. Accessed 6 Nov. 2025.
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