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

Fortunately, those activities are not technically required, just encouraged. — Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 14 July 2026

Reservations are highly encouraged, as spots fill up quickly. — Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 8 July 2026

Residents are also encouraged to avoid alcoholic drinks, those with caffeine, or lots of sugar to prevent dehydration. — Jt Moodee Lockman, CBS News, 30 June 2026

This is where team members feel encouraged to challenge the status quo. — William Decourcy, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026

Officials also stressed the value of satellite emergency communication devices and encouraged hikers to carry one when possible. — Reeti Malhotra, Sacbee.com, 23 June 2026

Instead, they are encouraged to view blue zones primarily through the lens of a sloppy critique that has already been discredited. — Torie Bosch, STAT, 20 June 2026

Mexico will be very encouraged from its opening day win against South Africa, looking dominant in the 2-0 win. — Ben Church, CNN Money, 18 June 2026

The emphasis on winning to keep kids signed up and continue making money has stomped creativity out of American players, who are encouraged to play safely to ensure results instead of developing a players’ feel for the game. — Andy Yamashita, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 June 2026

Verb

During the pandemic boom, cheap money, soaring asset prices, and speculative demand encouraged galleries to expand rapidly—adding artists, opening new locations and building ever larger organizations. — Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 17 July 2026

As energy costs and demand continue to rise and the potential for significantly lower tax revenues looms, local governments need to understand that clean energy is not banned in Florida but is encouraged by state statutes. — Alan Byrd, The Orlando Sentinel, 17 July 2026

Mallorca cultivated a relaxed atmosphere, surrounded by stunning mountain landscapes and sweeping sea views that encouraged us to slow down and truly unwind. — Kasey Busiel, Vogue, 17 July 2026

However, when Perel encouraged the conference attendees to stop referring to Gen Z and instead say ‘our children’, attitudes started to shift. — Sam Birchall, Fortune, 17 July 2026

Reinaldo Dias da Rocha, who is from the same community, said his father had already encouraged him not to hunt sharks, but the project had reinforced the importance of preserving the animals. — ABC News, 17 July 2026

Anders encouraged people choosing not to come to Idaho because of its laws to send letters to the governor and tourist organizations to demonstrate the financial losses to the state. — Becca Savransky, Idaho Statesman, 17 July 2026

Those who experienced the earthquake are encouraged to report it via the USGS Felt Report form. — Ca Earthquake Bot, Sacbee.com, 13 July 2026

Readers should not rely solely on the content of this article and are encouraged to seek professional advice tailored to their specific circumstances. — Jason Phillips, USA Today, 10 July 2026