1
as in inspired
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 promoted
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 provoked
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 urged
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
1
as in reassured
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
2
as in supported
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of encouraged
Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 23 Oct. 2025
Wearing costumes is highly encouraged, but attendees are asked to keep costumes fun and appropriate for the setting.
—Elizabeth Marie Himchak, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Oct. 2025
When asked about accusations that the chant encouraged antisemitism, Vylan rejected any link.
—Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 20 Oct. 2025
Riders are encouraged but not required to wear a helmet.
—Natalie Davies, Freep.com, 20 Oct. 2025
Costumes are highly encouraged, as runners will take a scenic route along the Mississippi River on West River Road and across the Stone Arch Bridge.
—Sophia Arndt, Twin Cities, 19 Oct. 2025
That made the market feel encouraged about 2026.
—Jeff Marks, CNBC, 14 Oct. 2025
While leaving houseplant foliage wet after watering is not encouraged, watering the soil midday will not cause leaf scorch.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 9 Oct. 2025
Fujie also published a newsletter arguing that the encouraged phone limitation was not based on scientific evidence and disregarded the rights of children and young residents.
—Callum Sutherland, Time, 8 Oct. 2025
Tracy Wright, FOXNews.com, 2 Nov. 2025
Those who felt the earthquake are encouraged to report it through the USGS Felt Report form.
—Ca Earthquake Bot, Sacbee.com, 2 Nov. 2025
Other Inside Trader Joe’s podcast episodes have discussed many of the quirks of the beloved grocery store, like what the bells next to cash registered are for and whether employees are encouraged to flirt with customers.
—Sabrina Weiss, PEOPLE, 31 Oct. 2025
Her decision not to change clothes, even after being encouraged to, was an act of extraordinary bravery.
—James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 31 Oct. 2025
But Martin Whittaker, JUST Capital’s CEO, is encouraged that so many shareholders think the gains should be shared with employees and customers.
—Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 31 Oct. 2025
Consumers are encouraged to check the CPSC’s official recall website for updates or further safety announcements regarding this and other products.
—Daniel Orton, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2025
State governments have encouraged families to continue to gather shelf-stable foods at food banks if the SNAP benefits stop coming.
—Yasmin Tayag, The Atlantic, 31 Oct. 2025
Electric telegraph lines and railroads encouraged and were encouraged by a new age of imperial expansion, commodity extraction, industrialization, urban growth, global migration, rising population, and scientific development, among other things.
—Literary Hub, 27 Oct. 2025
Verb
Children ages 6 months through 4 years, people who are immunocompromised or on certain medications, pregnant people and those who work in health care settings or live in nursing homes are also highly encouraged to receive the vaccine as soon as possible.
—Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 23 Oct. 2025
Wearing costumes is highly encouraged, but attendees are asked to keep costumes fun and appropriate for the setting.
—Elizabeth Marie Himchak, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Oct. 2025
When asked about accusations that the chant encouraged antisemitism, Vylan rejected any link.
—Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 20 Oct. 2025
Riders are encouraged but not required to wear a helmet.
—Natalie Davies, Freep.com, 20 Oct. 2025
Costumes are highly encouraged, as runners will take a scenic route along the Mississippi River on West River Road and across the Stone Arch Bridge.
—Sophia Arndt, Twin Cities, 19 Oct. 2025
That made the market feel encouraged about 2026.
—Jeff Marks, CNBC, 14 Oct. 2025
While leaving houseplant foliage wet after watering is not encouraged, watering the soil midday will not cause leaf scorch.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 9 Oct. 2025
Fujie also published a newsletter arguing that the encouraged phone limitation was not based on scientific evidence and disregarded the rights of children and young residents.
—Callum Sutherland, Time, 8 Oct. 2025
Adjective
It was famed British actor Laurence Olivier who encouraged Hopkins to pursue mental health therapy and see a psychiatrist.
—Tracy Wright, FOXNews.com, 2 Nov. 2025
Those who felt the earthquake are encouraged to report it through the USGS Felt Report form.
—Ca Earthquake Bot, Sacbee.com, 2 Nov. 2025
Other Inside Trader Joe’s podcast episodes have discussed many of the quirks of the beloved grocery store, like what the bells next to cash registered are for and whether employees are encouraged to flirt with customers.
—Sabrina Weiss, PEOPLE, 31 Oct. 2025
Her decision not to change clothes, even after being encouraged to, was an act of extraordinary bravery.
—James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 31 Oct. 2025
But Martin Whittaker, JUST Capital’s CEO, is encouraged that so many shareholders think the gains should be shared with employees and customers.
—Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 31 Oct. 2025
Consumers are encouraged to check the CPSC’s official recall website for updates or further safety announcements regarding this and other products.
—Daniel Orton, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2025
State governments have encouraged families to continue to gather shelf-stable foods at food banks if the SNAP benefits stop coming.
—Yasmin Tayag, The Atlantic, 31 Oct. 2025
Electric telegraph lines and railroads encouraged and were encouraged by a new age of imperial expansion, commodity extraction, industrialization, urban growth, global migration, rising population, and scientific development, among other things.
—Literary Hub, 27 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for encouraged
Verb
-
The study’s insights could help scientists model pollutant persistence and even engineer better cleanup materials inspired by these minerals.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
4 Nov. 2025
-
The overall body remains a little too chunky for our liking, but the front fascia and roofline have been modified to more closely resemble the vehicle that inspired this build.—
Bryan Hood,
Robb Report,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
In April 2025, the firm promoted Swain as co-head of its equity capital solutions group.—
Shawn Tully,
Fortune,
1 Nov. 2025
-
DeGrezia succeeds Matt Brown, who was promoted in August to senior vice president, regional director of Saks Global stores in the South.—
David Moin,
Footwear News,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
By that time the show had provoked a wave of excited condemnation from commentators online who seemed most consistently offended by the bodysuit printed with the (hairy) image of a (totally) naked male body worn by a female model.—
Luke Leitch,
Vogue,
28 Oct. 2025
-
The move has provoked fierce criticism in France, a country that prides itself on craftsmanship, sustainability and haute couture.—
NPR,
NPR,
28 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Chairwoman Robyn Denholm urged shareholders to support it, warning in a letter Monday that the company risks losing significant value if the deal fails and Musk opts to step down as chief executive.—
Sasha Rogelberg,
Fortune,
3 Nov. 2025
-
As the situation deteriorates, the United Kingdom, the United States and Germany among others have urged their nationals to leave Bamako.—
Tim Lister,
CNN Money,
2 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Given the recent weakness in the stock and the broader macro uncertainty, hearing from management left us feeling more reassured in our position.—
Jeff Marks,Paulina Likos,
CNBC,
8 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
And while almonds have been cultivated for centuries across the Mediterranean and Middle East, almond butter is a relatively modern creation.—
Daryl Austin,
USA Today,
24 Oct. 2025
-
Over the past 15 years Klingberg has cultivated authentic relationships with brands and customers; kept an eye on spending and remained 100 percent in control of the business.—
Samantha Conti,
Footwear News,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Puzzle and activity feeders mimic natural hunting behavior and keep cats mentally stimulated.—
Lucy Notarantonio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Oct. 2025
-
The team also hopes to explore whether microscopic scaffolds can guide human cell growth and if the body can be stimulated to complete tissue regeneration once printing begins.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
High financing costs, a wobbly economy, flat rents and overbuilding in certain markets nudged many other developers to cancel or delay rental projects.—
Jonathan Lansner,
Oc Register,
16 Oct. 2025
-
Julian and Penelope nudged me for a response in unison.—
Sofía Pereda,
USA Today,
13 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Encouraged.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/encouraged. Accessed 5 Nov. 2025.
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