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
Growing up in the Orlando area, Dorough's mother didn't encourage him to learn Spanish, as the singer recalls being the only half-Latin family in the neighborhood.
—
Ralphie Aversa,
USA Today,
19 June 2026
Chiron enters your 3rd House of Communication, encouraging conversations that turn past stumbles into shared understanding.
—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
19 June 2026
Those who experienced the earthquake are encouraged to report it through the USGS Felt Report form.
—
Ca Earthquake Bot,
Sacbee.com,
19 June 2026
In announcing the arrests, Summers said authorities are continuing to investigate the incident and encouraged anyone with information to contact investigators.
—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
19 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for encourage
Ralphie Aversa,
USA Today,
19 June 2026
Chiron enters your 3rd House of Communication, encouraging conversations that turn past stumbles into shared understanding.
—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
19 June 2026
Those who experienced the earthquake are encouraged to report it through the USGS Felt Report form.
—
Ca Earthquake Bot,
Sacbee.com,
19 June 2026
In announcing the arrests, Summers said authorities are continuing to investigate the incident and encouraged anyone with information to contact investigators.
—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
19 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for encourage
Recent Examples of Synonyms for encourage
Verb
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Thomas Tuchel was appointed with the simple task of coaching England to a World Cup win, and England showed early signs of his tactical acumen, but also his ability to inspire his players.
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Serving East African street food inspired by husband-and-wife owners Hamissi Mamba and Nadia Nijimbere’s native Burundi, Waka delivers African flavors in small bites.
Verb
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While promoting Cape Fear on the SmartLess podcast, Adams told the story of saving a man’s life in Santa Monica.
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Supporters of Amendment 3 have used Thursday’s court ruling to promote the new amendment.
Verb
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This ends up being just one of Aemond’s defining moments, which further provokes war.
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Israel has launched frequent campaigns against Hezbollah, most notably in 2006, when a Hezbollah cross-border raid and the capture of two Israeli soldiers provoked an extensive Israeli air and ground operation that lasted more than a month.
Verb
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Rodríguez also said the country’s entire public and private healthcare network had been activated to treat the injured, urging doctors, nurses and other medical personnel to report immediately to their workplaces.
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Weber copped to working with the Wu administration to craft his $8-9 million amendment package, which Wu’s chief financial officer urged the Council to accept without additional amendments to avoid layoffs and loss of revenue.
Verb
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Business owners still need to make difficult decisions, cultivate relationships with employees and customers, and create accountability inside their organizations.
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In his regular visits to Nuuk, Horn has spent much of his time cultivating relationships with business leaders and politicians like Pele Broberg, leader of the pro-independence Naleraq party, who has made no secret of their meetings.
Verb
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The mature, honest dialogue offers a sense of resolve, ushering you into a pleasant space that stimulates you to nurture yourself.
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Red light is mitochondrially stimulating, so late-night use can disrupt sleep.
Verb
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The administration frames the free model as a deliberate effort to route economic activity and equity toward small businesses, backed by a Five Borough Winners Special promotion nudging fans into neighborhood bars and restaurants rather than FIFA’s perimeter.
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Syntiant’s tech nudges the new takes back toward the tone and feeling of the 1983 master while keeping every note authentically Boy George.
Verb
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The music industry mogul, who helped foster the careers of Whitney Houston and Bruce Springsteen, was hospitalized with respiratory weeks before his death.
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Obesity-fostering bacteria were found to represent a plurality in the gut microbiomes of American black bears.
Cite this Entry
“Encourage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/encourage. Accessed 25 Jun. 2026.
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