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
-
Reggie’s resolve to fight against the rising tide inspires him to embark upon a harebrained scheme that involves con artistry and theatrical promotion.—
Vikram Murthi,
IndieWire,
19 Aug. 2025
Verb
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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
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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
Verb
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The defense also claimed that the two men Kemp shot at provoked the shooting by stealing Kemp’s truck, his cellphone and memorabilia in Seattle.—
Dave Smith,
Fortune,
24 Aug. 2025
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The work had been set to appear in Sherald’s solo exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery; on learning that the museum wished to remove the painting from the show to avoid provoking Trump, the artist canceled the exhibition.—
News Desk,
Artforum,
22 Aug. 2025
Verb
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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
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Ahead of his meeting with Putin, Trump met on Aug. 13 virtually with Zelenskyy and leaders of European countries who have urged Trump not to capitulate to Putin's demands during his solo meeting.—
Joey Garrison,
USA Today,
14 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Joce Blake, a fashion editor and writer, cultivated her distinctive flair in Memphis.—
Larry Stansbury,
Vogue,
22 Aug. 2025
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Touchstone moments like that—intensely personal, and enduring—are exactly the kind Delta is trying to cultivate.—
Mike Dojc,
Forbes.com,
22 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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It’s administered as two spritzes—one in each nostril—and stimulates antibodies against the influenza virus in the nasal passages and bloodstream to protect against serious disease.—
Alice Park,
Time,
15 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Starbucks, for example, nudges users toward loading funds onto a digital gift card by offering more rewards.—
Gordon G. Chang,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Aug. 2025
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The latter was a delightful car, comprising only a modest four-cylinder engine that, at its best, barely nudged 100 hp.—
Robert Ross,
Robb Report,
22 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Pursuing this goal starts with senior management teams and their commitment to fostering organizational creativity.—
Merle Symes,
Forbes.com,
25 Aug. 2025
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My husband whiled away the time petting the shop’s playful kitten, just one of the many cats this store has fostered.—
Tara Massouleh McCay,
Southern Living,
24 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Encourage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/encourage. Accessed 28 Aug. 2025.
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