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
Boston Mayor Michelle Wu encouraged residents to look out for one another as high temperatures are expected to continue through at least Friday.
—
Aaron Parseghian,
CBS News,
2 July 2026
The 2023 law was designed to ostensibly encourage development of affordable housing by overriding local zoning controls, allowing developers to supersize projects with no public review.
—
Andres Viglucci,
Miami Herald,
1 July 2026
Now, the park is looking for this teenager with the hope of encouraging them to see a medical provider to discuss a post-exposure treatment for rabies.
—
Evie Carrick,
Travel + Leisure,
1 July 2026
Cisco is pairing its rollout with company-wide upskilling efforts and internal knowledge sharing to encourage experimentation.
—
Sheryl Estrada,
Fortune,
1 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for encourage
Aaron Parseghian,
CBS News,
2 July 2026
The 2023 law was designed to ostensibly encourage development of affordable housing by overriding local zoning controls, allowing developers to supersize projects with no public review.
—
Andres Viglucci,
Miami Herald,
1 July 2026
Now, the park is looking for this teenager with the hope of encouraging them to see a medical provider to discuss a post-exposure treatment for rabies.
—
Evie Carrick,
Travel + Leisure,
1 July 2026
Cisco is pairing its rollout with company-wide upskilling efforts and internal knowledge sharing to encourage experimentation.
—
Sheryl Estrada,
Fortune,
1 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for encourage
Recent Examples of Synonyms for encourage
Verb
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Last night’s rude wakeup call inspires you to make some changes today!
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These 15 mountain towns in California offer contemporary amenities amid the beautiful landscapes that inspired one of nature’s most fervent champions.
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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Your 10th House of Career and Status receives Jupiter, urging long-range vision and public progress that grows through structure.
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City officials are urging residents to take the heat seriously.
Verb
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Organizations that successfully fought for voting rights, educational opportunity, and political representation did not always cultivate the next generation of leadership with the same effectiveness.
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Swift has cultivated a loyal collective of her favorite brands, including Gucci, Louis Vuitton and Area (recall her famous Super Bowl jeans).
Verb
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Inside, soy proteins repair and strengthen, copper peptides stimulate keratin production–aka the protein that fortifies and minimizes frizz–and pro-B vitamins amplify fullness.
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Deadheading spent blooms will stimulate the plant to produce more flowers.
Verb
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The fans who remember watching them in the fictional town of Dillon, Texas, are now eager to nudge a new generation toward the show.
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Bing Thomas ran over to me and nudged Ted Waters aside.
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 3 Jul. 2026.
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