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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 6 Nov. 2025
Meanwhile, other parts of Meta’s outlook are encouraging.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 5 Nov. 2025
Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 7 Nov. 2025
The proposal also came days after Democrats saw massive wins at the ballot box, opening up a fissure for Republicans and encouraging the minority party to dig in.
—Al Weaver, The Hill, 7 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for encouraging
Adjective
White and Payton Pritchard were plus-22 and plus-36, respectively, with White showing some encouraging improvement as a shooter (4-for-8, 2-for-5 from three) while tallying eight assists, three rebounds, three steals and two blocks.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 6 Nov. 2025
Meanwhile, other parts of Meta’s outlook are encouraging.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 5 Nov. 2025
Verb
Dijon has been changing mainstream music from the shadows, encouraging folk and pop stars in his orbit to embrace weedier, less pristine sound and vocal performances.
—Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 7 Nov. 2025
The proposal also came days after Democrats saw massive wins at the ballot box, opening up a fissure for Republicans and encouraging the minority party to dig in.
—Al Weaver, The Hill, 7 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for encouraging
Recent Examples of Synonyms for encouraging
Adjective
-
Nico Harrison’s disdain for beloved superstar Luka Dončić is going to end what was once a promising career as a basketball general manager.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
11 Nov. 2025
-
Scherzer has won two titles, just missing out on his third this year, but his promising performance in the postseason has the free agent motivated for another go-around.—
Nelson Espinal,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Whether for the potluck, the cookout, or a Wednesday night dinner with your family, these Southern side dishes are comforting, easy, and crowd-pleasing.—
Patricia S York,
Southern Living,
9 Nov. 2025
-
In those cases, soft lighting, quiet music, or a comforting scent can make the space feel safer.—
Khloe Quill,
FOXNews.com,
9 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
The measure’s approval allows Democrats to redraw congressional maps more favorable to their party in the nation’s largest state and keep up with Republicans who have moved to add potential new red House seats in Texas and elsewhere.—
Josh Boak,
Fortune,
6 Nov. 2025
-
By contrast, the Moon is a much more favorable environment by many metrics.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Moonshot Museum opened in 2022 and was Pennsylvania's first space museum as well as the first in the world to focus on inspiring young people to pursue a career in the modern space industry.—
Iona Brannon,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Nov. 2025
-
Professional sports are rapacious for-profit enterprises that produce wildly entertaining, sometimes violent, and sometimes inspiring athletic competition.—
Jay Caspian Kang,
New Yorker,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Weng has been offered a new research project that will contribute to the improved reliability and effectiveness of legged robotic systems by advancing evaluation standards and by promoting transparency regarding the capabilities – and limitations – of these systems, according to a press release.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
5 Nov. 2025
-
While the Bridgerton star has been promoting the Wicked sequel, he has also been given the title of PEOPLE’s Sexiest Man Alive for 2025.—
Gabrielle Rockson,
PEOPLE,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
At best, all of his perhapses and could have beens will lead to unexpected, thought-provoking conclusions.—
Isaac Butler,
The Atlantic,
3 Nov. 2025
-
This is an installment of The Nightcrawler, a weekly collection of thought-provoking articles on tech, innovation, and long-term investing by Eric Markowitz of Nightview Capital.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Authorities are urging the public to avoid open areas and to be alert to structures, trees, and power lines due to the risk of falls and accidents.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
8 Nov. 2025
-
The agency is also urging people to keep pets on a leash when recreating outdoors, particularly near riparian habitats, which are where moose prefer to live.—
Fernando Cervantes Jr,
USA Today,
7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Bure is keeping her faith — and her Christmas crown — shining bright.—
Stephanie Giang-Paunon,
FOXNews.com,
9 Nov. 2025
-
Researchers have discovered the brightest and most powerful flare ever seen from a supermassive black hole.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Encouraging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/encouraging. Accessed 15 Nov. 2025.
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