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
This way, the socks naturally encourage healthy blood flow.
—
Jillian Dara, Travel + Leisure, 11 Jan. 2026
Parents are encouraged to participate in their baby’s care through techniques like kangaroo care (skin-to-skin contact), which helps stabilize vital signs and supports development.
—Memorialcare Medical Group, Oc Register, 10 Jan. 2026
Bloomberg | Bloomberg | Getty Images Unlike one-off grooming purchases, makeup encourages repeat use and experimentation.
—Luke Fountain, CNBC, 10 Jan. 2026
Leaving vinegar or dish soap on your microwave finishes can cause unsightly water spots and streak,s and encourage mold-making moisture to form.
—Gemma Johnstone, The Spruce, 10 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for encourage
Jillian Dara, Travel + Leisure, 11 Jan. 2026
Parents are encouraged to participate in their baby’s care through techniques like kangaroo care (skin-to-skin contact), which helps stabilize vital signs and supports development.
—Memorialcare Medical Group, Oc Register, 10 Jan. 2026
Bloomberg | Bloomberg | Getty Images Unlike one-off grooming purchases, makeup encourages repeat use and experimentation.
—Luke Fountain, CNBC, 10 Jan. 2026
Leaving vinegar or dish soap on your microwave finishes can cause unsightly water spots and streak,s and encourage mold-making moisture to form.
—Gemma Johnstone, The Spruce, 10 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for encourage
Recent Examples of Synonyms for encourage
Verb
-
The unofficial holiday was originally inspired by an episode of Parks and Recreation back in 2010.—
Jeaneen Russell,
PEOPLE,
16 Jan. 2026
-
The chief storyteller behind the scenes at the B-Side Group restaurant is chef Hector González-Mora, who is leading the kitchen at the gastrocantina and mezcalería while crafting food inspired by the places where California and Mexican customs and traditions come together.—
Heidi Finley,
Charlotte Observer,
15 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Still, the district put full faith in its current coaches, promoting from within.—
Charles Baggarly,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
9 Jan. 2026
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The series is part of the theater's efforts to promote accessible, affordable arts programs for the Aurora community.—
Christa Swanson,
CBS News,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Analysts and insiders told CBS News the scale of the response to Pahalvi's call could determine whether the deadly, 12-day-old protests fizzle out as previous rounds of unrest have, or grow into a major challenge to the government, and provoke a possible wider crackdown.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Intrusive thoughts provoke an anxious spiral as the moon and Saturn oppose.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The Small Property Owners Association of Massachusetts issued a statement Wednesday calling Wu’s tax shift proposal bad policy, and urged the Senate to approve the alternative tax relief bills and amendments proposed by Collins and Brownsberger.—
Gayla Cawley,
Boston Herald,
14 Jan. 2026
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In 2024, during her presidential campaign, Harris urged Congress to pass a bill that would have curtailed investors from buying large numbers of single-family rental homes.—
Garrett Downs,
CNBC,
14 Jan. 2026
Verb
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These opportunities turn a viewing experience into a core memory that cultivates customer loyalty long after the event concludes.—
Ben Kruger,
Rolling Stone,
15 Jan. 2026
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In her hands, cultivating counter-ideologies is a way for the vulnerable to hone their intuition, to trust themselves.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
15 Jan. 2026
Verb
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In addition to pure retinol, which helps reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, this unique product features retinyl palmitate, an antioxidant-rich skin protectant, as well as retinyl acetate, a natural form of vitamin A that keeps pores clean while stimulating collagen production.—
Michelle Baricevic,
InStyle,
14 Jan. 2026
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Standard lasers create powerful beams by bouncing light between microscopic mirrors to stimulate more light production; this new tool uses the same principle to amplify vibrations.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
14 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Your 9th House of Exploration takes focus as the vibrant Sun squares tender Chiron, nudging you to test a belief by practicing it in decisions.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
12 Jan. 2026
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By releasing messenger molecules called neurotransmitters that open and close ion channels, neurons can nudge their neighbors’ membrane potentials up or down.—
Elise Cutts,
Quanta Magazine,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The number one also means the opportunity to foster a self-sufficient lifestyle that harnesses your unique and inventive sentiments.—
Lisa Stardust,
PEOPLE,
20 Jan. 2026
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Leaders must realize their responsibility to foster a culture where adaptability is modeled and rewarded.—
Mark C. Perna,
Forbes.com,
20 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Encourage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/encourage. Accessed 21 Jan. 2026.
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