encouraging

adjective

en·​cour·​ag·​ing in-ˈkər-i-jiŋ How to pronounce encouraging (audio)
-ˈkə-ri-,
en-
: giving hope or promise
encouraging news
encouragingly
in-ˈkər-i-jiŋ-lē How to pronounce encouraging (audio)
-ˈkə-ri-
en-
adverb

Examples of encouraging in a Sentence

We've just heard some encouraging news. encouraging signs that the economy is improving
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Dell Technologies also recently provided an encouraging data point on the acceleration of AI infrastructure spending. Jeff Marks, CNBC, 21 Oct. 2025 The videos Pritzker has been encouraging would mostly be spreading anyway. Ben Smith, semafor.com, 20 Oct. 2025 Raiders head coach Pete Carroll announced an encouraging update regarding both Bowers and Meyers on Monday, saying both pass-catchers should be back on the field for Week 9's matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Matt Audilet, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Oct. 2025 Even more encouraging, its findings, along with those from other early gene-therapy trials, point toward a future when more children (and maybe, in time, adults as well) can experience their own small miracles of science. Lisa Jarvis, Twin Cities, 19 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for encouraging

Word History

First Known Use

1593, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of encouraging was in 1593

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Encouraging.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/encouraging. Accessed 24 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on encouraging

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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