1
as in to inspire
to fill with courage or strength of purpose
a pep talk that encouraged the team to get out there and win
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to promote
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 to provoke
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 to urge
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 encourage
Both trains offer luxury journeys that encourage passengers to partake in the joys of slow travel.
—
Laura Itzkowitz, Travel + Leisure, 25 May 2025
Babalola is now encouraging others to continue sharing their experiences of baby loss.
—Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 May 2025
Compromising the independence of the NRC or encouraging it to be circumvented entirely could weaken the agency and make regulation less effective, said Edwin Lyman, director of nuclear power safety at the Union of Concerned Scientists.
—Matthew Daly, Los Angeles Times, 23 May 2025
Goolsbee’s remarks suggest he’s encouraged by the trade truce with China, a separate 90-day pause on double-digit tariffs on other nations, and soft inflation readings for both March and April.
—Paul Davidson, USA Today, 14 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for encourage
Laura Itzkowitz, Travel + Leisure, 25 May 2025
Babalola is now encouraging others to continue sharing their experiences of baby loss.
—Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 May 2025
Compromising the independence of the NRC or encouraging it to be circumvented entirely could weaken the agency and make regulation less effective, said Edwin Lyman, director of nuclear power safety at the Union of Concerned Scientists.
—Matthew Daly, Los Angeles Times, 23 May 2025
Goolsbee’s remarks suggest he’s encouraged by the trade truce with China, a separate 90-day pause on double-digit tariffs on other nations, and soft inflation readings for both March and April.
—Paul Davidson, USA Today, 14 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for encourage
Recent Examples of Synonyms for encourage
Verb
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Selling such toys violates a New York law inspired by police encounters that have resulted in fatalities because the guns, though harmless, look like actual firearms.—
Ross O'Keefe,
The Washington Examiner,
27 May 2025
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On-site programming at Mountain Modern embraces Sedona's mystical vibes with crystal bowl sound baths, mindful meditation and breath work sessions, and ceremonies inspired by Indigenous traditions.—
Annie Archer,
Travel + Leisure,
27 May 2025
Verb
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Teens running social media accounts, promoting school events, or launching small ventures can immediately implement these strategies.—
Sarah Hernholm,
Forbes.com,
25 May 2025
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To take Bregman’s place on the roster, the Red Sox promoted top infield prospect Marcelo Mayer, who started at third base and batted sixth in the second game of Saturday’s doubleheader.—
Jen McCaffrey,
New York Times,
25 May 2025
Verb
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But if Washington follows a few principles, such improvements will not necessarily provoke Chinese aggression.—
Oriana Skylar Mastro,
Foreign Affairs,
20 May 2025
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Doctors gave her Pitocin, a medication used to provoke contractions, and a Foley balloon, which is a catheter-like device that gets the cervix to dilate.—
Kayla Grant,
People.com,
20 May 2025
Verb
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Trump met personally with the GOP conference that morning, urging them to stop pushing for more changes and get behind the bill.—
Riley Beggin,
USA Today,
23 May 2025
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Whether to get some space from his inanity, be able to spend more time with her ex-boyfriend, or simply encourage him to be a person, Tammy urges Craig to make friends with Austin (Paul Rudd), the affable evening news weatherman who moves in down the street.—
Paul A. Thompson,
Pitchfork,
22 May 2025
Verb
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However, real estate value isn't built overnight; it's cultivated over years and often decades.—
Rodolfo Delgado,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2025
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The combination of his roles as singer, songwriter, producer, fitness influencer, and fashion trendsetter has helped Wonho cultivate a diverse global fanbase ahead of this new album cycle.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
30 May 2025
Verb
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These wildfires, while destructive, have also provided researchers with insights into giant sequoia ecology, revealing that moderate-severity burns can stimulate seed release and create favorable germination conditions.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
24 May 2025
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Muscles, heart rate, strength, motor control — and the brain — all are stimulated by exercise.—
Reader Commentary,
Baltimore Sun,
23 May 2025
Verb
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As rising costs of living have nudged more locals into greater financial precariousness and closer to hunger, the organization reported that nearly two in 10 South Floridians turned to it last year for food.—
Max Klaver,
Miami Herald,
30 May 2025
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Around the same time, Jupiter in Cancer squares both Saturn and Neptune in Aries, nudging you to assess whether your home and family systems support your growth.—
Dossé-Via Trenou,
Refinery29,
29 May 2025
Verb
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Also unique to its program, the AI Workshop offers what every parent needs today, such as guidelines and best practices for integrating AI technology as well as an entire lesson dedicated to the importance of fostering creativity.—
Connie Etemadi,
USA Today,
22 May 2025
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And before long, fostering became a team effort between herself and Simon.—
Jordan Greene,
People.com,
21 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Encourage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/encourage. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.
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