1
as in reassured
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Dissimilar Words
2
as in supported
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
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
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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show current usage.
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Recent Examples of encouraged
Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 24 Apr. 2026
The drive-in encouraged attendees to arrive early to secure a spot.
—Emma Hall, Sacbee.com, 16 Apr. 2026
Users are typically encouraged to use a light touch and take care when placing tuning forks near sensitive areas like the neck.
—Lyssanoel Frater, USA Today, 8 Apr. 2026
Today, 93% of Synchrony’s 10,000-plus workforce say they are encouraged to balance their work and personal lives.
—Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 1 Apr. 2026
Anyone attending the protest or planning to be downtown Saturday is strongly encouraged to use public transportation instead of driving.
—Sara Tenenbaum, CBS News, 27 Mar. 2026
Boone does sound genuinely encouraged, though.
—Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 25 Mar. 2026
Sports medicine experts have long encouraged kids to play multiple sports and not to specialize in one at a young age.
—CNN Money, 19 Mar. 2026
Festivalgoers are encouraged to secure accommodations early and plan their weekend through the E360 app, where personalized itineraries, exclusive offers, and real-time updates bring the full ESSENCE Festival of Culture® experience to life.
—Shelby Stewart, Essence, 18 Mar. 2026
Hillary Busis, Vanity Fair, 26 Apr. 2026
This paper editorialized in support of that petition and encouraged the state’s attorney to voluntarily step aside.
—Chicago Tribune, 26 Apr. 2026
Roberts was encouraged by Sasaki’s outing, particularly with the success of his splitter.
—Michael Huntley, Oc Register, 26 Apr. 2026
Planners say costumes, smiles and good vibes are encouraged.
—Janet Kusterer, Baltimore Sun, 26 Apr. 2026
Weiss’ mother lived there for a year, then left as she was encouraged to by her mom.
—Pamela McLoughlin, Hartford Courant, 26 Apr. 2026
Those who experienced the quake are encouraged to report it through the USGS Felt Report form.
—Ca Earthquake Bot, Sacbee.com, 26 Apr. 2026
International leaders have encouraged a departure from conflict in the region and a swift solution for the strait’s reopening.
—Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 19 Apr. 2026
The investigation, still in its early stages, is ongoing, and those with information are encouraged to contact the department at 510-620-6616.
—Sierra Lopez, Mercury News, 19 Apr. 2026
Adjective
The experience wasn't just encouraged.
—Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 24 Apr. 2026
The drive-in encouraged attendees to arrive early to secure a spot.
—Emma Hall, Sacbee.com, 16 Apr. 2026
Users are typically encouraged to use a light touch and take care when placing tuning forks near sensitive areas like the neck.
—Lyssanoel Frater, USA Today, 8 Apr. 2026
Today, 93% of Synchrony’s 10,000-plus workforce say they are encouraged to balance their work and personal lives.
—Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 1 Apr. 2026
Anyone attending the protest or planning to be downtown Saturday is strongly encouraged to use public transportation instead of driving.
—Sara Tenenbaum, CBS News, 27 Mar. 2026
Boone does sound genuinely encouraged, though.
—Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 25 Mar. 2026
Sports medicine experts have long encouraged kids to play multiple sports and not to specialize in one at a young age.
—CNN Money, 19 Mar. 2026
Festivalgoers are encouraged to secure accommodations early and plan their weekend through the E360 app, where personalized itineraries, exclusive offers, and real-time updates bring the full ESSENCE Festival of Culture® experience to life.
—Shelby Stewart, Essence, 18 Mar. 2026
Verb
Behavior that had long been tolerated, if not encouraged, would no longer be accepted.
—Hillary Busis, Vanity Fair, 26 Apr. 2026
This paper editorialized in support of that petition and encouraged the state’s attorney to voluntarily step aside.
—Chicago Tribune, 26 Apr. 2026
Roberts was encouraged by Sasaki’s outing, particularly with the success of his splitter.
—Michael Huntley, Oc Register, 26 Apr. 2026
Planners say costumes, smiles and good vibes are encouraged.
—Janet Kusterer, Baltimore Sun, 26 Apr. 2026
Weiss’ mother lived there for a year, then left as she was encouraged to by her mom.
—Pamela McLoughlin, Hartford Courant, 26 Apr. 2026
Those who experienced the quake are encouraged to report it through the USGS Felt Report form.
—Ca Earthquake Bot, Sacbee.com, 26 Apr. 2026
International leaders have encouraged a departure from conflict in the region and a swift solution for the strait’s reopening.
—Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 19 Apr. 2026
The investigation, still in its early stages, is ongoing, and those with information are encouraged to contact the department at 510-620-6616.
—Sierra Lopez, Mercury News, 19 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for encouraged
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
-
What a shame if our children’s children could not be inspired by the wonders of the night sky.—
Ernie Cowan,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
-
The killings inspired community concerns about security at the multistory complex in the Brownsville neighborhood, including what some said was a need for more security cameras.—
Dennis Romero,
NBC news,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
United hope one midfielder can also be promoted from the academy.—
Laurie Whitwell,
New York Times,
23 Apr. 2026
-
Sebastian Kneipp, a 19th century German Catholic priest and early pioneer of naturopathy, promoted nature exposure, water therapy and barefoot walking as exercise and a way to stimulate circulation and support overall health, including immune function.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
In 2018, Target provoked the ire of New York music lovers by tweaking CBGB’s famous awning to celebrate the opening of a new retail location in Astor Place.—
SPIN Staff,
SPIN,
21 Apr. 2026
-
Focused on fast payouts — with many conducted in around four hours — these models target rural populations in particular, which are increasingly impacted by unexpected weather patterns and natural disasters provoked by climate change.—
Paige Bruton,
semafor.com,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Others urged buyers to stockpile.—
Sean Nevin,
NBC news,
24 Apr. 2026
-
The two seem poles apart philosophically — when Cherki assisted Foden with a rabona earlier in the season, Guardiola urged him to learn from Lionel Messi’s ‘simplicity’.—
Sam Lee,
New York Times,
23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Montes is daring, her work unafraid to wrestle with the most complex and foundational ideas, yet doing so on her own terms.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
15 Apr. 2026
-
In her work, too, Kica is unafraid of depth.—
Jess Morales Rocketto,
Time,
15 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
There is no suggested path through the works at the Geffen.—
Horace D. Ballard,
Artforum,
22 Apr. 2026
-
The City Council voted unanimously to accept the report and consider the suggested funding sources.—
Phil Diehl,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
22 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Medieval schoolmen worrying over Aristotle could be pedants; so could cultivated female salonnières in seventeenth-century Paris.—
Clare Bucknell,
The New York Review of Books,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Israel cultivated a close relationship with Azerbaijan shortly after its independence, with the duo soon becoming one of each other’s most important allies.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
25 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Encouraged.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/encouraged. Accessed 28 Apr. 2026.
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