1
as in promising
having qualities which inspire hope
encouraging signs that the economy is improving
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in comforting
making one feel good inside
the encouraging story of a young girl who overcame great social and physical obstacles to become an outstanding athlete
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in favorable
pointing toward a happy outcome
we're off to an encouraging start on this project
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in inspiring
to fill with courage or strength of purpose
a pep talk that encouraged the team to get out there and win
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in promoting
to help the growth or development of
asserted that the government should be encouraging small businesses, not smothering them with regulations
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in provoking
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 urging
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of encouraging
Jason Liebowitz, New Yorker, 6 Mar. 2026
That's an encouraging signal for the job market.
—CBS News, 5 Mar. 2026
Katie Jackson, Travel + Leisure, 8 Mar. 2026
By empowering her girls to tap into their innate curiosity, Harris is also encouraging them to trust themselves.
—Maressa Brown, Parents, 8 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for encouraging
Adjective
Early-stage trials for multiple sclerosis and myasthenia gravis have been similarly encouraging.
—Jason Liebowitz, New Yorker, 6 Mar. 2026
That's an encouraging signal for the job market.
—CBS News, 5 Mar. 2026
Verb
Featuring encouraging reminders to sip throughout your trip, this glass water bottle with a leak-proof lid can be a literal lifesaver.
—Katie Jackson, Travel + Leisure, 8 Mar. 2026
By empowering her girls to tap into their innate curiosity, Harris is also encouraging them to trust themselves.
—Maressa Brown, Parents, 8 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for encouraging
Recent Examples of Synonyms for encouraging
Adjective
-
Toles, a promising outfielder who played parts of three seasons with the team from 2016 to 2018, did not report to spring training in 2019 and was quietly placed on the restricted list before it was eventually revealed that Toles had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.—
Senior Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Another Brighton foul, by Diego Gomez on Gabriel Martinelli, gives Arsenal a free kick in a promising position.—
Stuart James,
New York Times,
6 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Quiet reflection gains power as cerebral Mercury in your 12th House of Solitude trines jovial Jupiter in your comforting 4th house, guiding you through releasing past aches.—
Tarot.com,
The Orlando Sentinel,
9 Mar. 2026
-
And nothing is more comforting than a warm bowl of soup on a cold winter day.—
Melinda Salchert,
Southern Living,
9 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Clearly, new coach John Harbaugh had a favorable assessment of Neal from the 2022 draft process when the Alabama lineman was viewed as a top prospect.—
Dan Duggan,
New York Times,
12 Mar. 2026
-
Borrowers with good credit and steady income have the most options, including debt consolidation programs with favorable terms.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
That was beyond inspiring for Heeney.—
Steve Millar,
Chicago Tribune,
12 Mar. 2026
-
Since its start, Operation Epic Fury has drawn scrutiny from the American public, inspiring anti-war protests across the country.—
Olivia Palombo,
FOXNews.com,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
But ever since Ticketmaster and Live Nation merged in 2010, the companies have been accused of promoting anticompetitive behaviors.—
Cerys Davies,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Mar. 2026
-
One Russian dancer posted a video of someone removing a Marty Supreme poster to reveal a poster promoting a performance of Swan Lake.—
Chloe Angyal,
Time,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
When not in the newsroom, Munis is often out on the streets with his camera, capturing the perfect portrait or settling in to watch a thought-provoking film.—
Munis Raza,
Interesting Engineering,
4 Mar. 2026
-
While teasing Season 2 and what’s to come, the series’ creators tout the advantages the audio format offers for thought-provoking science fiction.—
Jordaan Ashley,
Variety,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The intuitive Moon squares Saturn, pitting your 3rd House of Distractions against your 6th House of Pragmatism, urging specific words, meticulous timing, and sensible boundaries.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
12 Mar. 2026
-
The rest of the team departed Sydney Tuesday for Malaysia, arriving at Kuala Lumpur International Airport, where video posted to social media showed members of the Iranian community urging them not to return to Iran.—
Hilary Whiteman,
CNN Money,
11 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Points of bright-eyed inspiration.—
Jason LeCras,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Mar. 2026
-
Would the girl with the bright smile have been embarrassed by her love Stitch as a teen?—
Gillian Stawiszynski,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
8 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Encouraging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/encouraging. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
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