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
Anyone with information related to this case is encouraged to contact the New Mexico State Police at 505-841-9256.
—
Sarah Dahlberg, NBC news, 17 Apr. 2026
The designer emphasizes quality over quantity and encourages blending functional items with decorative ones.
—Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Apr. 2026
To encourage socializing, Weaver keeps a folding ping-pong table in his studio.
—Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 17 Apr. 2026
Perched on the 85-mile-long collection of barrier islands known as the Crystal Coast, this under-the-radar place encourages slow living and quality time by the ocean.
—Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 17 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for encourage
Sarah Dahlberg, NBC news, 17 Apr. 2026
The designer emphasizes quality over quantity and encourages blending functional items with decorative ones.
—Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Apr. 2026
To encourage socializing, Weaver keeps a folding ping-pong table in his studio.
—Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 17 Apr. 2026
Perched on the 85-mile-long collection of barrier islands known as the Crystal Coast, this under-the-radar place encourages slow living and quality time by the ocean.
—Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 17 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for encourage
Recent Examples of Synonyms for encourage
Verb
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At 23 years old, Cameron Weitzel has turned his passion into a business and is using his voice to inspire others.—
Conor McGill,
CBS News,
17 Apr. 2026
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Meanwhile, the olive green tile in the guest bathroom was painted with a custom motif inspired by grasses found at the bottom of the lake—another way to give the house a sense of its surroundings.—
Hannah Martin,
Architectural Digest,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The Twins plan to promote Kendry Rojas to the big-league roster in time for Tuesday’s series opener at the New York Mets, according to a team source.—
Dan Hayes,
New York Times,
20 Apr. 2026
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The busy World's Most Beautiful cover star is promoting two films at the same time, and appears to be rocking bangs for her Devil Wears Prada 2 press and her regular face-framing layers for Mother Mary events (like this one, a week after the one above).—
Stephanie Sengwe,
PEOPLE,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Focused on fast payouts — with many conducted in around four hours — these models target rural populations in particular, which are increasingly impacted by unexpected weather patterns and natural disasters provoked by climate change.—
Paige Bruton,
semafor.com,
20 Apr. 2026
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Your goal is to make a point, not to provoke.—
Chris John Amorosino,
Hartford Courant,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The man wouldn’t put his arm behind his back, prompting witnesses on the other side of the glass doors watching the arrest to urge him to comply.—
Emma Seiwell,
New York Daily News,
15 Apr. 2026
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Speaking at the Presidential Palance in Yaoundé in front of the country’s President, Paul Biya, Leo urged authorities to avoid corrupt practices.—
Christopher Lamb,
CNN Money,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
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One garden tip Nielsen recommends when cultivating purple coneflower is to work compost into the soil at least two weeks before transplanting or planting coneflower seeds.—
SJ McShane,
Martha Stewart,
16 Apr. 2026
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In California, state and local government agencies have launched dust-mitigation efforts by installing windbreaks, such as cultivating native plants or reshaping the topography with more ridges.—
Tony Briscoe,
Los Angeles Times,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
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This amazing project significantly expands our ability to accomplish our mission, to stimulate curiosity and inspire science learning in everyone, on a scale and with an impact unlike anything in our history.—
Staff report,
Daily News,
16 Apr. 2026
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Simple habits like hydration, fiber intake, coffee, physical activity, and proper posture can help stimulate bowel movements.—
Sherri Gordon,
Health,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
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After opening its first location in Dana Point in 2024, which helped nudge the coastal enclave into destination-dining territory, Truly Pizza will debut its second outpost in Laguna Beach on May 7.—
Brock Keeling,
Oc Register,
17 Apr. 2026
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With limited offseason cap space around the league, Powell might need to work with the Heat on a sign-and-trade deal if he is nudged aside or chooses to move on elsewhere.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The bill aims to increase transparency has fostered unlikely partnerships between DFL and GOP legislators.—
Mary Murphy,
Twin Cities,
14 Apr. 2026
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Given the fast-moving pace of our industries, this requires us to constantly assess how to foster a more agile and technologically-enabled workforce to meet tomorrow’s needs.—
Dade Hayes,
Deadline,
14 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Encourage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/encourage. Accessed 21 Apr. 2026.
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