Synonyms of encourage

encourage

verb

in-ˈkər-ij 

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

• inspire
• embolden
• reinforce
• stimulate
• hearten
• bear up
• provoke
• buoy (up)
• reassure
• cheer (up)
• inspirit
• steel
• strengthen
• enforce
• assure
• invigorate
• enliven
• animate
• buck up
• chirk (up)
• stir
• excite
• energize
• fortify
• rally
• galvanize
• quicken
• boost

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• discourage
• daunt
• dishearten
• undermine
• depress
• demoralize
• weaken
• sadden
• intimidate
• dispirit
• debilitate
• hamstring
• enfeeble
• psych (out)

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

• promote
• cultivate
• foster
• nurture
• forward
• further
• advance
• assist
• nourish
• support
• advocate
• endorse
• incubate
• nurse
• fund
• aid
• subsidize
• uphold
• underwrite
• patronize
• finance
• advertise
• back
• publicize
• work (for)
• endow
• boost
• champion
• campaign (for)
• abet
• stake
• plug
• tout
• agitate (for)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• discourage
• prevent
• hinder
• inhibit
• prohibit
• frustrate
• forbid
• enjoin
• oppose
• proscribe
• ban
• fight
• outlaw
• bar
• combat
• counter
• contend (with)
• interdict
• suppress
• stifle
• check
• repress
• subdue
• battle
• impede
• halt
• retard
• arrest
• interfere (with)
• obstruct
• squelch
• encumber
• squash
• snuff (out)
• hobble
• shackle
• fetter
• manacle

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

• provoke
• stimulate
• inspire
• motivate
• stir
• arouse
• incite
• move
• excite
• induce
• instigate
• spark
• motive
• drive
• rev (up)
• fire (up)
• trigger
• pique
• impassion
• ignite
• bother
• activate
• galvanize
• energize
• anger
• animate
• inflame
• vitalize
• quicken
• foment
• build a fire under
• set off
• abet
• get
• kindle
• fan
• raise
• enrage
• annoy
• key (up)
• upset
• whip (up)
• ferment
• tease
• pump up
• taunt
• irritate
• aggravate
• exasperate
• jeer
• vex
• gall
• madden

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• calm
• subdue
• soothe
• appease
• placate
• pacify
• tranquilize
• mollify

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

• urge
• nudge
• prompt
• spur
• push
• exhort
• propel
• coax
• goad
• provoke
• stimulate
• egg (on)
• prod
• drive
• implore
• press
• beseech
• hurry
• rush
• cajole
• incite
• importune
• pressure
• hustle
• instigate
• foment
• adjure
• wheedle
• stir (up)
• nag
• needle
• high-pressure
• soft-soap
• blandish

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• discourage
• deter
• check
• dissuade
• restrain
• inhibit
• brake
• curb
• constrain
• hold back

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb encourage differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of encourage are embolden, hearten, and inspirit. While all these words mean "to fill with courage or strength of purpose," encourage suggests the raising of one's confidence especially by an external agency.

the teacher's praise encouraged the students to greater efforts

When might embolden be a better fit than encourage?

While the synonyms embolden and encourage are close in meaning, embolden implies the giving of courage sufficient to overcome timidity or reluctance.

emboldened by her first success, she tried an even more difficult climb

When is hearten a more appropriate choice than encourage?

The words hearten and encourage can be used in similar contexts, but hearten implies the lifting of dispiritedness or despondency by an infusion of fresh courage or zeal.

a hospital patient heartened by good news

Where would inspirit be a reasonable alternative to encourage?

The meanings of inspirit and encourage largely overlap; however, inspirit, somewhat literary, implies instilling life, energy, courage, or vigor into something.

patriots inspirited the people to resist

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of encourage

National Organization for Women president Kim Villanueva described the content as often promoting women as objects and encouraging or glorifying rape culture. — Lauren Mascarenhas, CNN Money, 30 Sep. 2026

The state’s low-tax, business-friendly environment is one reason Griffin encourages business leaders to come to Florida. — Catherine Odom, Miami Herald, 30 Sep. 2026

Sullivan, who has been a persistent advocate for the Alaska natural gas project and has encouraged South Korean investment, is a two-term senator facing a competitive challenge from Democrat Mary Peltola, a former congresswoman. — ABC News, 30 Sep. 2026

Richard Wicentowski, provost and computer science professor at Swarthmore, told The Post last month that the policy helps reduce new students’ stress levels and encourages them to try new subjects. — Dan Simmons, Washington Post, 30 Sep. 2026