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
Frank Cappelleri, CNBC, 3 June 2026
But the evening before testing began last week, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools principals were told to take the encouraging posters down.
—Rebecca Noel, Charlotte Observer, 3 June 2026
Thom Harris, New York Times, 5 June 2026
The hikes—guests can choose between two- and four-hour treks—are demanding but accessible; guides set multiple paces to accommodate different fitness levels while still encouraging participants to push themselves.
—Samantha Leal, Travel + Leisure, 5 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for encouraging
Adjective
The encouraging part is that the long-term backdrop and the shorter-term setup are now beginning to align.
—Frank Cappelleri, CNBC, 3 June 2026
But the evening before testing began last week, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools principals were told to take the encouraging posters down.
—Rebecca Noel, Charlotte Observer, 3 June 2026
Verb
The 43-year-old transformed Bournemouth into one of Europe’s most front-footed teams during his three seasons in charge, encouraging an adventurous off-the-ball approach that looked to smother the opposition high up the pitch.
—Thom Harris, New York Times, 5 June 2026
The hikes—guests can choose between two- and four-hour treks—are demanding but accessible; guides set multiple paces to accommodate different fitness levels while still encouraging participants to push themselves.
—Samantha Leal, Travel + Leisure, 5 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for encouraging
Recent Examples of Synonyms for encouraging
Adjective
-
The chemistry has therefore emerged as a promising option for large-scale energy storage, where cost, resource availability, and operational reliability are critical factors.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
7 June 2026
-
Next to him is the promising 21-year-old Alex Freeman, the son of a former NFL wide receiver whose athleticism is off the charts but feel for the game is still a work in progress.—
Becky Sullivan,
NPR,
7 June 2026
Adjective
-
Bereaved individuals have often told me that hearing other people’s memories of the person who died can be deeply comforting.—
Julie Kaplow,
USA Today,
30 May 2026
-
The show's plot revolves around tropes that are intentionally comforting and formulaic—fake dating, jock meets girl next door, and opposites attract—and evidently, the styling follows suit.—
Daisy Maldonado,
InStyle,
27 May 2026
Adjective
-
Conservative state lawmakers who have received tens of thousands of dollars from Gleason and his family are also those who have consistently sponsored, or at least provided their favorable votes, to bills that would directly benefit his precious metals business.—
Kevin Fixler
June 4,
Idaho Statesman,
4 June 2026
-
In nearly half of those actions, the plaintiffs have won a preliminary injunction against the administration or a favorable ruling, said Lawrence Pacheco, a spokesman for Weiser’s office.—
John Aguilar,
Denver Post,
4 June 2026
Verb
-
Clearly, the promotional popcorn stunts were effective marketing, inspiring fans to flock to comment sections and discussion threads to find out what was fact and what was fiction.—
Mary Walrath-Holdridge,
USA Today,
4 June 2026
-
Schnur said the lack of inspiring governor candidates played at least some role.—
Stephen Hobbs,
Sacbee.com,
3 June 2026
Verb
-
Three researchers, two of whom have since gone on to bigger and better successes, Vinay Prasad and Tracey Beth Hoeg, explained in detail how committed the CDC was to promoting masks.—
Ian Miller OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
1 June 2026
-
That includes signs and, yes, hats, t-shirts, buttons, stickers or other clothing promoting a particular candidate or initiative.—
Don Sweeney,
Sacbee.com,
1 June 2026
Verb
-
The Lounge hosts rotating art exhibits, spotlighting thought-provoking pieces like ceramics from Thai artist Bathma Kaew-Ngok and showstopping floral arrangements by Naomi Daimaru.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
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For years, people took photos of themselves on the 666 to Hel and shared them on social media, relishing the coincidence of a bus to a beach resort provoking mental images of damnation, thanks to the similarity of the town's name to the English word hell.—
Anna Noryskiewicz,
CBS News,
1 June 2026
Verb
-
Bahrain’s interior ministry also sounded warning sirens urging residents to seek shelter.—
Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
3 June 2026
-
The league also sent a letter to Jordan signed by 21 members of Congress urging caution with any changes to the broadcasting law.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
3 June 2026
Adjective
-
Ex-Arsenal player Héctor Bellerín wore bright pink on the Louis Vuitton catwalk in 2019, while Real Madrid’s Eduardo Camavinga walked for Balenciaga in 2022.—
Sheena McKenzie,
CNN Money,
7 June 2026
-
Deneb is the brightest star in the constellation Cygnus the Swan.—
Mike Lynch,
Twin Cities,
7 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Encouraging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/encouraging. Accessed 9 Jun. 2026.
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