Synonyms of encouraged

encouraged 1 of 2

adjective

1

as in reassured

Related Words

• reassured
• unafraid
• emboldened
• courageous
• brave
• determined
• comforted
• heartened
• undaunted
• fearless
• intrepid
• undeterred
• valiant
• dauntless
• gutsy
• resolute
• heroic
• spirited
• undismayed
• daring
• unflinching
• plucky
• valorous
• stalwart
• adventurous
• bold
• stouthearted
• game
• unswerving
• Spartan
• gallant
• greathearted
• spunky
• adventuresome
• undauntable
• lionhearted
• gritty
• venturesome
• hardy
• foolish
• stout
• venturous
• doughty
• audacious
• gutty
• mad
• mettlesome
• firm
• imprudent
• thoughtless
• reckless
• foolhardy
• dashing
• insane
• impetuous
• brazen
• incautious
• nutty
• impulsive
• overconfident
• rash
• hasty
• hotheaded
• heedless
• crazy
• daredevil
• madcap
• precipitate
• brash
• headlong
• half-witted
• wild
• overbold

Dissimilar Words

• anxious
• timid
• careful
• nervous
• cautious
• afraid
• apprehensive
• shy
• scary
• prudent
• diffident
• skittish
• frightened
• upset
• startled
• terrified
• shocked
• disturbed
• scared
• horrified
• unnerved
• worried
• concerned
• agitated
• panicked
• spooked
• mousy
• perturbed
• heedful
• disquieted
• disconcerted
• unadventurous
• weak
• fearful
• terrorized
• yellow
• timorous
• pusillanimous
• craven
• wimpy
• coward
• cowardly
• panic-stricken
• fainthearted
• spineless
• gutless
• spiritless
• dastardly
• unheroic
• nerveless
• chicken
• ungallant
• uncourageous
• poor-spirited
• weakhearted
• milk-livered
• chickenhearted
• chicken-livered
• lily-livered
• poltroon

2

as in supported

Related Words

• supported
• promoted
• suggested
• endorsed
• approved
• abetted
• licensed
• certified
• permissible
• legitimate
• lawful
• authorized
• legal
• official
• regulation
• legit
• sanctioned
• licit
• canonical
• authoritative
• ex officio
• semiofficial

Dissimilar Words

• unauthorized
• unofficial
• illegal
• unlawful
• impermissible
• illicit
• wrongful
• unsanctioned
• illegitimate
• nonofficial
• unlicensed
• lawless
• unapproved
• verboten

encouraged

2 of 2

verb

past tense of encourage

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

• inspired
• emboldened
• heartened
• reinforced
• stimulated
• cheered (up)
• buoyed (up)
• inspirited
• reassured
• provoked
• enforced
• steeled
• bore up
• assured
• enlivened
• invigorated
• strengthened
• animated
• excited
• chirked (up)
• bucked up
• stirred
• rallied
• energized
• fortified
• galvanized
• quickened
• boosted

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• discouraged
• disheartened
• daunted
• depressed
• saddened
• undermined
• weakened
• demoralized
• dispirited
• intimidated
• debilitated
• hamstrung
• enfeebled
• psyched (out)

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

• promoted
• cultivated
• nurtured
• fostered
• forwarded
• advanced
• furthered
• assisted
• nourished
• supported
• advocated
• incubated
• endorsed
• aided
• funded
• championed
• financed
• upheld
• nursed
• backed
• patronized
• subsidized
• abetted
• advertised
• endowed
• staked
• worked (for)
• publicized
• boosted
• underwrote
• touted
• plugged
• agitated (for)
• campaigned (for)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• discouraged
• prohibited
• hindered
• inhibited
• prevented
• frustrated
• opposed
• forbade
• enjoined
• banned
• barred
• proscribed
• fought
• outlawed
• countered
• suppressed
• contended (with)
• checked
• arrested
• stifled
• battled
• repressed
• subdued
• halted
• interdicted
• combated
• retarded
• impeded
• obstructed
• interfered (with)
• squelched
• encumbered
• squashed
• hobbled
• snuffed (out)
• shackled
• fettered
• manacled

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

• provoked
• stimulated
• inspired
• motivated
• stirred
• aroused
• excited
• moved
• incited
• sparked
• induced
• instigated
• drove
• impassioned
• triggered
• piqued
• motived
• fired (up)
• revved (up)
• bothered
• ignited
• angered
• activated
• energized
• galvanized
• fanned
• enraged
• kindled
• animated
• set off
• abetted
• built a fire under
• vitalized
• quickened
• inflamed
• fomented
• upset
• got
• keyed (up)
• annoyed
• taunted
• teased
• whipped (up)
• pumped up
• jeered
• raised
• maddened
• irritated
• fermented
• aggravated
• exasperated
• vexed
• galled

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• calmed
• subdued
• soothed
• appeased
• placated
• pacified
• mollified
• tranquilized

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

• urged
• nudged
• prompted
• spurred
• pushed
• exhorted
• coaxed
• goaded
• prodded
• propelled
• provoked
• drove
• stimulated
• pressed
• egged (on)
• hurried
• implored
• pressured
• rushed
• hustled
• cajoled
• beseeched
• importuned
• adjured
• incited
• nagged
• instigated
• wheedled
• fomented
• stirred (up)
• needled
• blandished
• soft-soaped
• high-pressured

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• discouraged
• deterred
• checked
• dissuaded
• constrained
• restrained
• inhibited
• held back
• curbed
• braked

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of encouraged

Adjective

That last might be especially true for female human beings who may be more encouraged to have derived an identity based on our role as marital partner or parent. — Gloria Steinem, Vogue, 4 Sep. 2026

When not to play tug-of-war with your dog As beneficial as playtime can be for your dog, there are a few instances where rougher activities such as tug-of-war are not encouraged. — Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026

Strike a pose in our free photobooth where looking hot enough to eat is highly encouraged. — Beatrice Verhoeven, HollywoodReporter, 25 Aug. 2026

People are also encouraged to dump and drain standing water regularly where mosquitoes breed. — Carlos E. Castañeda, CBS News, 24 Aug. 2026

While this feature never got implemented, a Phia spokesperson told Bloomberg, Kianni was in support of the cookie stuffing practices, and encouraged team members to implement shady practices. — Sarah Glodek, Fortune, 21 Aug. 2026

These pieces are made for daily use, and mixing and matching across other collections is highly encouraged. — Angela Tafoya, Architectural Digest, 21 Aug. 2026

Interjecting the bidding with inane questions or other comments about other managers’ rosters or the errant wisdom of their previous bids is highly encouraged to distract other bidders or disrupt any manager counting down in their heads. — Sports Betting, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026

The company has faced multiple lawsuits from families who allege that ChatGPT contributed to, or even encouraged, their child’s suicide. — Clare Duffy, CNN Money, 18 Aug. 2026

Verb

More than a decade ago, the two researchers were introduced by their mutual boss, the chancellor at UCSF, who encouraged them to collaborate. — Pien Huang, NPR, 4 Sep. 2026

As Brown ramped back up this summer, he and the team were encouraged by his progress. — Sahadev Sharma, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026

With the warm temperatures ahead, Salopek encouraged those planning to go outside to take breaks, stay hydrated and try to limit their time in the heat. — Caroline Neal, Louisville Courier Journal, 3 Sep. 2026

Sánchez, who faces an election next year, has said a misinterpretation of a Supreme Court ruling and disinformation on social media encouraged people to rush the border. — Suman Naishadham, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2026

Parents are encouraged to seek CDC guidelines for more information. — Charlotte Observer, 3 Sep. 2026

They will be encouraged to share notes and memories about how Parton influenced and inspired them. — Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 2 Sep. 2026

After a space in Midtown fell through at the last minute, Force Villareal encouraged her to look in Chelsea. — Derek C. Blasberg, Vanity Fair, 28 Aug. 2026

In his late teens Turner, while also working as a DJ in clubs, was encouraged by one of his mother’s friends to try modeling. — L. Sue Baugh, Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 Aug. 2026