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
Part of her plan is to encourage more young people to work for the brand.
—
Hikmat Mohammed, Footwear News, 7 Apr. 2025
The frantic trading, which sent stocks spiking before plummeting again, showed how investors are operating on a hair trigger and are eager for any sign of encouraging news.
—Chris Megerian, Chicago Tribune, 7 Apr. 2025
On April 5, disenfranchised Americans are being encouraged to protest the Trump administration's policies as part of a national movement in myriad cities, hosted by a group of older Americans called Third Act.
—Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Mar. 2025
While some children have been exposed to its harmful gel through everyday play, a TikTok trend has made matters worse, encouraging kids to microwave the toy, sometimes with devastating consequences.
—Annabelle Canela, Parents, 26 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for encourage
Hikmat Mohammed, Footwear News, 7 Apr. 2025
The frantic trading, which sent stocks spiking before plummeting again, showed how investors are operating on a hair trigger and are eager for any sign of encouraging news.
—Chris Megerian, Chicago Tribune, 7 Apr. 2025
On April 5, disenfranchised Americans are being encouraged to protest the Trump administration's policies as part of a national movement in myriad cities, hosted by a group of older Americans called Third Act.
—Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Mar. 2025
While some children have been exposed to its harmful gel through everyday play, a TikTok trend has made matters worse, encouraging kids to microwave the toy, sometimes with devastating consequences.
—Annabelle Canela, Parents, 26 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for encourage
Recent Examples of Synonyms for encourage
Verb
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Directed and co-written by Jean-Stéphane Bron, the original and spirited fiction series, the high-stakes real life drama-thriller, is inspired by real life last-chance talks in 2015 between the U.S. and Iran over the latter’s nuclear program, talks held in Geneva.—
John Hopewell,
Variety,
28 Mar. 2025
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Amanda Seyfried is revealing which classic blonde bombshell partly inspired her performance in Mean Girls.—
John Russell,
People.com,
28 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Specifically, short-chain fatty acids nourish the cells within your gut lining, promoting a healthy intestinal barrier and mucus production and lowering inflammation.—
Beth Krietsch,
SELF,
7 Apr. 2025
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But Schmitz says evidence from animal models suggests that physical activity triggers a series of chemical reactions in cells that promote health in multiple ways.—
Maria Godoy,
NPR,
7 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters at the White House that the administration maintained confidence in Waltz and said the case was effectively closed, even as the breach provoked bipartisan criticism and opened up divisions inside the White House.—
Josh Meyer,
USA Today,
3 Apr. 2025
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As an abstraction and comparison machine, Pronouns provokes anxiety, getting at the dangers of correlation.—
Mara Mills,
Artforum,
1 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Advertisement Advertisement Police said the investigation remains open and urged anyone with relevant information to contact the force.—
Time,
Time,
4 Apr. 2025
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Meanwhile, Mars in Cancer, Saturn in Pisces and Uranus in Taurus urge us to dream the impossible, realistic dream.—
Lisa Stardust,
People.com,
4 Apr. 2025
Verb
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An investigation into Fuji Media revealed that the group’s TV network cultivated a culture of power imbalance and harassment.—
Christiaan Hetzner,
Fortune,
1 Apr. 2025
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In Azerbaijan, the pomegranate is not only cultivated across 25,000 hectares of orchards, but celebrated in annual festivals, etched into frescoes, and lovingly folded into everything from savory stews to syrupy preserves.—
Daphne Ewing-Chow,
Forbes.com,
1 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Access to the leaves will stimulate scientific research that will objectively assess coca’s medical and therapeutic potential and benefits, with the ultimate goal of making available for all people a plant that promises to improve their well-being and ease the day-to-day challenges of their lives.—
Wade Davis,
Rolling Stone,
6 Apr. 2025
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As the moon and Mars collide, rushing toward your future stimulates unnecessary stress.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
5 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The off-market transaction, which closed last month, nudged past the previous record, a $59 million penthouse at the Getty, snagged by private-equity mogul Robert F. Smith in 2018.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
2 Apr. 2025
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What to Consider The investment price of these earplugs will nudge you to take extra care with handling them.—
Alesandra Dubin,
Travel + Leisure,
28 Mar. 2025
Verb
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His absence provides rookie KJ Simpson with an opportunity to foster his development heading into the offseason and likely appearances with the summer league team in July.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
3 Apr. 2025
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Through this initiative, M-DCPS continues its commitment to fostering a supportive, healthy, and successful learning environment for all students.—
UnitedHealthcare,
Miami Herald,
3 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Encourage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/encourage. Accessed 13 Apr. 2025.
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