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
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3
as in favorable
pointing toward a happy outcome
we're off to an encouraging start on this project
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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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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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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
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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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of encouraging
Jonel Aleccia, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2025
The latest legislation comes as the AI craze ushers in a wave of more complex chatbots capable of deep, intellectual conversation and encouraging behaviors.
—Samantha Subin, CNBC, 14 Oct. 2025
Justin Fenner, Robb Report, 18 Oct. 2025
Meanwhile, a dozen organizations are handing out flyers encouraging protesters to get involved, including Indiana AID, which provides support to immigrants and their families whom have been impacted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
—Tony Cook, IndyStar, 18 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for encouraging
Adjective
For the first time in more than a decade, the number of states with rates of obesity of 35% or more has dropped, an encouraging sign that America’s epidemic of excess weight might be improving.
—Jonel Aleccia, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2025
The latest legislation comes as the AI craze ushers in a wave of more complex chatbots capable of deep, intellectual conversation and encouraging behaviors.
—Samantha Subin, CNBC, 14 Oct. 2025
Verb
Exosomes—microscopic structures that send information from cell to cell, encouraging repair—also harness the body’s natural healing mechanisms.
—Justin Fenner, Robb Report, 18 Oct. 2025
Meanwhile, a dozen organizations are handing out flyers encouraging protesters to get involved, including Indiana AID, which provides support to immigrants and their families whom have been impacted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
—Tony Cook, IndyStar, 18 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for encouraging
Recent Examples of Synonyms for encouraging
Adjective
-
More promising still is Dell’s use of Salesforce’s AI agents to automate parts of its supply chain, including onboarding new suppliers, which has cut its average onboarding time from months to days.—
Jeremy Kahn,
Fortune,
21 Oct. 2025
-
While the New York Giants haven't played well over the past few years, there have been some promising signs over the past few weeks.—
Jon Conahan,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Break out the slow-cooker for this warm and comforting chili that serves six and stars turkey.—
Nellah Bailey McGough,
Southern Living,
19 Oct. 2025
-
Recent changes are less comforting for Putin.—
Nick Paton Walsh,
CNN Money,
18 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Rutgers-Eagleton’s mid-October survey mirrored that trend, finding 42 percent of voters viewed Sherrill favorably and 45 percent unfavorably, while Ciattarelli’s numbers were 41 percent favorable and 47 percent unfavorable.—
Martha McHardy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Oct. 2025
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Pics such as Gladiator and series including Game of Thrones have shot there, taking advantage of the favorable tax rebate system and production hubs.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Seeing the awe-inspiring falls is the top priority for most travelers coming to Cumberland Falls State Resort Park.—
Lydia Mansel,
Travel + Leisure,
18 Oct. 2025
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Their story struck a chord online, inspiring thousands to share their own experiences of unexpected friendship.—
Lydia Patrick,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Sophia James began a TikTok experiment by posting seven videos promoting the same song to test the platform's algorithm.—
Wesley Stenzel,
Entertainment Weekly,
22 Oct. 2025
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After decades of ignoring advances in data and analytics and mainly promoting from within, the Rockies seem intent on hiring an outsider to be their new head of baseball operations, after dismissing general manager Bill Schmidt at the start of October.—
Jackson Roberts,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
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This tender, wry and thought-provoking story offers a different perspective on looking for love, regret and the ‘what if’ of it all.—
Leo Barraclough,
Variety,
22 Oct. 2025
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Skims is no stranger to bold and thought-provoking products, having previously caused a stir with its controversial line of face wraps.—
Anthony Robledo,
USA Today,
18 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Senior Democrats are treating Saturday’s demonstrations as a show of strength and are urging participants to be peaceful amid fears disorder could be used to justify an administration crackdown.—
James Bickerton,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Oct. 2025
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Roughly 500 celebrities and Hollywood artists signed the Artists4Ceasefire petition in 2023; dozens of industry A-listers signed an Artists4Ceasefire letter addressed to then-President Biden, urging the White House for an immediate de-escalation and ceasefire.—
Elizabeth Wagmeister,
CNN Money,
18 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Choose from seven luxe shades, including a trendy chocolate brown, soothing sage green, and bright teal.—
Mariana Best,
Better Homes & Gardens,
19 Oct. 2025
-
It can be found just 5 degrees away from the bright star Segin in the constellation Cassiopeia — roughly the width of your three middle fingers held at arm's length — which can be found high above the northern horizon around midnight in October.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
19 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Encouraging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/encouraging. Accessed 25 Oct. 2025.
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