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
The captain has encouraged all US players to compete in the Procore Championship at Silverado Resort in Napa, Calif., taking place just two weeks before the Bethpage showdown.
—
Devlina Sarkar, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Aug. 2025
Readers should not rely solely on the content of this article and are encouraged to seek professional advice tailored to their specific circumstances.
—Malana Vantyler, USA Today, 15 Aug. 2025
In January, after President Donald Trump signed an executive order ending DEI programs in the federal workforce, and in federal contracting and spending, many private corporations were encouraged to do the same.
—Charlotte Observer, 15 Aug. 2025
In addition to the sheer number of users on the platform, YouTube’s algorithm encourages the viewing of additional video podcasts, which also helps the numbers.
—Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 5 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for encourage
Devlina Sarkar, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Aug. 2025
Readers should not rely solely on the content of this article and are encouraged to seek professional advice tailored to their specific circumstances.
—Malana Vantyler, USA Today, 15 Aug. 2025
In January, after President Donald Trump signed an executive order ending DEI programs in the federal workforce, and in federal contracting and spending, many private corporations were encouraged to do the same.
—Charlotte Observer, 15 Aug. 2025
In addition to the sheer number of users on the platform, YouTube’s algorithm encourages the viewing of additional video podcasts, which also helps the numbers.
—Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 5 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for encourage
Recent Examples of Synonyms for encourage
Verb
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Its grille inspired the 1998 Chrysler Chronos concept car and the sensational 2005 Chrysler 300.—
Mark Phelan,
USA Today,
20 Aug. 2025
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The pair have entertained audiences from all over the world at their shows, and were inspired to tour America after getting consistent feedback that the show would translate to the States.—
Jenelle Riley,
Variety,
19 Aug. 2025
Verb
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In addition to Wicked: For Good, which premieres on Nov. 21, the Oscar winner is also busy promoting Ne Zha II.—
Toria Sheffield,
People.com,
17 Aug. 2025
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On a societal level, bigger cars take up more public space, leaving less room for the livable, likeable city and promote urban sprawl.—
Mattias Goldmann,
Forbes.com,
17 Aug. 2025
Verb
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As a futurist, my role was to provoke fresh insight and decisive action.—
Lisa Bodell,
Forbes.com,
13 Aug. 2025
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Casey Durkin—Bravo While Jax, surely at the urging of producers, tried to provoke Kristen by questioning her fertility choices, nothing major happened in the premiere.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
13 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Morales, who is barred from running due to term limits, has urged supporters to cast blank votes — a move seen by many as an attempt to undermine Senate President Andrónico Rodríguez, who is running independently under the Popular Alliance banner.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
14 Aug. 2025
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In a virtual summit with President Trump on Wednesday, European leaders urged him not to make a unilateral Ukraine peace deal during his one-on-one meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Anchorage on Friday.—
Jade Walker,
CNN Money,
14 Aug. 2025
Verb
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This involves maintaining constant vigilance, cultivating mental resilience and being open to redefining your professional identity.—
Philip Samson,
Forbes.com,
8 Aug. 2025
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Tuesday nights at the facility became a ritual for them, the three-time Super Bowl champion sharing war stories with student coaches and sleeping on an air mattress not all that far from Stretch’s closet; precisely when and where Stretch began cultivating and collecting stories all his own.—
Andrew Callahan,
Boston Herald,
7 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Typically, a sluggish economy leads to low inflation, allowing the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates to stimulate more borrowing and activity.—
Paul Davidson,
USA Today,
16 Aug. 2025
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Deadheading helps prevent the formation of seeds and stimulates additional flowering.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
15 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Overall apparel prices nudged up just 0.1% in July after rising 0.4% in June.—
Alicia Wallace,
CNN Money,
12 Aug. 2025
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The National Hurricane Center’s Tuesday mid-morning forecast cone nudged the forecast track slightly south, a trend that forecasters say could continue.—
Alex Harris,
Miami Herald,
12 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Some homeowners are choosing to foster clovers, specifically white clovers, in their lawns alongside other turf or grass. Also known as Dutch clover, white clover (Trifolium repens) is known for small white flowers that flourish in Southern climates.—
Hallie Milstein,
Southern Living,
11 Aug. 2025
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To promote neighborhood engagement and foster stronger connections within the community, the City of Valparaiso will host a Neighborhood Workshop and Summer Social from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Aug. 19 at the Forest Park Welter Room, 1155 Sheffield Drive, Valparaiso.—
Post-Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Encourage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/encourage. Accessed 22 Aug. 2025.
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