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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Example Sentences

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 Ogunyemi rejects the notion that encouragement is merely a soft leadership practice that can’t be connected to measurable business outcomes. — Rodger Dean Duncan, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026 Dern's 7-year-old daughter peered her head over the barricade from her front row seat and shouted encouragement each time mom got close to her side of the cage. — CBS News, 16 Aug. 2026 Scott explained that his kids had watched shows including The Office and Brooklyn Nine-Nine, but had skipped Parks and Recreation despite his encouragement. — Angelique Brenes, PEOPLE, 15 Aug. 2026 The high-energy interval workout class will be set to worship music and will combine movement and encouragement. — Post-Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for encouragement

Recent Examples of Synonyms for encouragement

Noun

The merger threatens to push production further abroad amid an already ongoing exodus, as well as to other states with cushy tax incentives.

— Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 21 Aug. 2026
When compensation is tied to conversion, the incentive structure can encourage aggressive and off-brand marketing tactics.

— Ivan Doruda, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of incentive

Noun

The Relic chip, of course, is the impetus for the main storyline of Cyberpunk 2077, where V inserts the experimental tech that contains the soul, in effect, of a real person.

— Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026
The only impetus for any transaction is Berg’s need to comply with league rules for his new job.

— Justin Birnbaum, Sportico.com, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of impetus

Noun

This simply exposes the true motivation of some who have advocated opposition to this transaction.

— Matt Donnelly, Variety, 22 Aug. 2026
Mental health conditions such as depression can sap both energy and motivation, while medical issues including hypothyroidism, anemia and chronic fatigue syndrome can also cause debilitating symptoms.

— Daryl Austin, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of motivation

Noun

The third is to develop novel variations of your stimuli or your benchmark items in order to test robustness and generalization.

— Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 20 Aug. 2026
The country on Monday reported disappointing retail sales and industrial production growth for July, fueling hopes for more rate cuts and stimulus.

— Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of stimulus

Browse Nearby Words

encouraged

encouragement

encouragements

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“Encouragement.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/encouragement. Accessed 24 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of encouragement

noun

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