ENCOURAGEMENT Synonyms: 31 Similar and Opposite Words

encouragement

noun

in-ˈkər-ij-mənt

Definition of encouragement

as in incentive

something that arouses action or activity the huge rebates that the auto companies were offering were all the encouragement I needed to buy a new car

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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of encouragement Once all but deserted, the town experienced a revival in 1965, when artists and musicians began to flock there after encouragement from the Yugoslav government. — Tia Lovisa Moreira, Travel + Leisure, 2 July 2026 Alexandria government roasted for absurd anti-fireworks tweet The government of Alexandria tweeted Wednesday a blunt warning about fireworks — and encouragement to snitch on your neighbors. — David Hookstead Outkick, FOXNews.com, 2 July 2026 Messages of encouragement are also being included in the shipments. — Ivan Taylor, CBS News, 1 July 2026 For almost every negative comment, there are several more filled with kindness, encouragement, and support. — Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 30 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for encouragement

Recent Examples of Synonyms for encouragement

Noun

While the threshold sparked debate, the decree offers financial incentives for parties to merge by discounting registration fees for coalitions and alliances.

— Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 10 July 2026
Administered by Proimágenes Colombia, Colombia’s CINA incentive (Audiovisual Investment Certificate) grants a transferable tax credit equal to 35% of eligible spending on audiovisual services in Colombia.

— Anna Marie de la Fuente, Variety, 10 July 2026

Definition of incentive

Noun

The impetus for the announcement was the ICE shooting death of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo in Texas last week.

— Mauricio Torres, CNN Money, 12 July 2026
Reserves acted to dampen price pressure at the start of the war; now the impetus to refill them as the cold months approach could act to accelerate price pressure.

— Idrees Kahloon, The Atlantic, 9 July 2026

Definition of impetus

Noun

The export and manufacturing-led economic resilience is expected to reinforce Beijing’s reluctance to roll out stimulus to revive tepid consumer demand.

— Anniek Bao, CNBC, 9 July 2026
In Vibe Science studies, the autonomic nervous system shifts toward parasympathetic activation as the brain entrains to the stimulus, producing lower arousal and readiness for sleep and recovery.

— Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 6 July 2026

Definition of stimulus

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encouraged

encouragement

encouragements

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“Encouragement.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/encouragement. Accessed 12 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of encouragement

noun

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