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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of encourage
Lime and makers of personal e-scooters encourage using helmets, and Lime has launched campaigns in some cities to tell riders to wear headgear.
—
Shannon Tyler, Idaho Statesman, 7 Nov. 2025
Each troll has a name and a story that encourages nature exploration and ultimately finding ways to protect the earth.
—Khadejeh Nikouyeh, Charlotte Observer, 7 Nov. 2025
Anyone who has seen Melodee or may know something about her whereabouts is encouraged to call the sheriff’s office or leave an anonymous tip.
—Elizabeth Wolfe, CNN Money, 7 Nov. 2025
Those who experienced the quake are encouraged to report it via the USGS Felt Report form.
—Ca Earthquake Bot, Sacbee.com, 7 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for encourage
Shannon Tyler, Idaho Statesman, 7 Nov. 2025
Each troll has a name and a story that encourages nature exploration and ultimately finding ways to protect the earth.
—Khadejeh Nikouyeh, Charlotte Observer, 7 Nov. 2025
Anyone who has seen Melodee or may know something about her whereabouts is encouraged to call the sheriff’s office or leave an anonymous tip.
—Elizabeth Wolfe, CNN Money, 7 Nov. 2025
Those who experienced the quake are encouraged to report it via the USGS Felt Report form.
—Ca Earthquake Bot, Sacbee.com, 7 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for encourage
Recent Examples of Synonyms for encourage
Verb
-
Nicole said her costume was actually inspired by a childhood friend, ironically named Taylor.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
8 Nov. 2025
-
The reality star has been studying through an apprenticeship program in California and was inspired to pursue a career in the legal field, focusing on criminal justice reform.—
Lexi Carson,
HollywoodReporter,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Similarly, the Interstate Consortium for the Sustainable Development of the Legal Amazon Region brings together Amazonian states to curb deforestation, promote green agriculture and attract green investment.—
MSNBC Newsweek,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Ausberry was promoted to the interim job in Woodward’s place, and the board gave him the authority to lead the coaching hire.—
Chris Vannini,
New York Times,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
However, this year's ad has provoked widespread criticism, with some even calling for a boycott of Sephora.—
Reia Li,
AZCentral.com,
4 Nov. 2025
-
These characters are so thin, their storylines so flimsy and their motives so underbaked that there’s no recognizable emotion underlying any of it, and thus no feeling to be provoked by watching it.—
Angie Han,
HollywoodReporter,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
During that visit, then Belgian Prime Minister Alexander de Croo urged Francis in unusually frank terms to take concrete action.—
Christopher Lamb,
CNN Money,
8 Nov. 2025
-
Sauer urged the high court to issue its ruling quickly, noting that it is currently required to use Section 32 funding to send full SNAP benefits by tonight due to McConnell’s order.—
Jack Birle,
The Washington Examiner,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
These experiences cultivated a mindset attuned to complexity and dependable systems.—
Jason Phillips,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Through gatherings like this one, the Compass is cultivating the spaces and systems that make creativity sustainable.—
Essence,
Essence,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Cold showers stimulate the vagus nerve, reduce inflammation, and activate parts of the brain that can calm the body after long exposure.—
Khloe Quill,
FOXNews.com,
9 Nov. 2025
-
The implication was that there could be an easily accessible, off-the-shelf shot capable of stimulating the immune system to fight cancer.—
Lisa Jarvis,
Twin Cities,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
As part of her sweetheart deal, Joseph had to agree to a state investigation — wink wink nudge nudge.—
Howie Carr,
Boston Herald,
8 Nov. 2025
-
Far from contemporary pop, each note and lyric demands your full attention; the reward is transcendence, even as the material nudges you to annotate like a philosophy student with a highlighter in hand.—
Thania Garcia,
Variety,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The Empath fosters psychological safety, inclusive dialogue and a culture of empathy.—
Kelly Jones,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Even here, though, the focus of most of Biden’s efforts at fostering economic cooperation was regional, not global.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
5 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Encourage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/encourage. Accessed 20 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share