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
The judge suggested a possible solution is to slow down the video or provide additional context and encouraged the parties to find a compromise.
—
Dan Heching, CNN, 14 Mar. 2025
Perhaps more importantly, trade war concerns have had a bigger hold on the market: Stocks have tumbled this week despite encouraging inflation data .
—Tanaya MacHeel, CNBC, 14 Mar. 2025
Try to encourage the bird to perch atop a broom or other tall pole and escort it toward an open door.
—Jessica Boehm, Axios, 14 Mar. 2025
But the internet encourages the transformation of antipathy into creative fodder, and enables its dissemination.
—Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 2 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for encourage
Dan Heching, CNN, 14 Mar. 2025
Perhaps more importantly, trade war concerns have had a bigger hold on the market: Stocks have tumbled this week despite encouraging inflation data .
—Tanaya MacHeel, CNBC, 14 Mar. 2025
Try to encourage the bird to perch atop a broom or other tall pole and escort it toward an open door.
—Jessica Boehm, Axios, 14 Mar. 2025
But the internet encourages the transformation of antipathy into creative fodder, and enables its dissemination.
—Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 2 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for encourage
Recent Examples of Synonyms for encourage
Verb
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Are the characters played by Gyllenhaal and Clarke inspired by real people?—
Randall Colburn,
EW.com,
16 Mar. 2025
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For a great film, and an even better true story behind it, check out some of the best movies inspired by real people that are streaming on Netflix right now.—
Keith Langston,
People.com,
16 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Federal employees in probationary status ‒ targeted in an initial round of Trump firings ‒ were either recently hired or promoted, usually within the past year.—
Joey Garrison,
USA TODAY,
14 Mar. 2025
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With a focus on revitalizing New York’s textile industry, Easton will lead efforts to promote sustainable, locally made textiles and foster collaborations across the state’s supply chain.—
Alexandra Harrell,
Sourcing Journal,
14 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Over the past eight years, social media platforms have been skillfully manipulated to provoke anger, rage, fear, and distrust, setting individuals and groups against one another.—
Peter Suciu,
Forbes,
9 Mar. 2025
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Sometimes, that means getting outside of the Court’s comfort zone of an orderly appeals process when individual judges single-handedly provoke a separation-of-powers crisis.—
The Editors,
National Review,
6 Mar. 2025
Verb
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In response, lawyers for David Cassirer, Claude's son, appealed to the Supreme Court and urged the justices to vacate, or set aside, the 9th Circuit's latest ruling.—
arkansasonline.com,
arkansasonline.com,
11 Mar. 2025
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On Tuesday morning Vice President J.D. Vance huddled in a closed door conference meeting with House Republicans and urged them to back the measure.—
Claudia Grisales,
NPR,
11 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Ultimately, Severance champions the idea that merging professional roles with personal identity is key to cultivating authentic leadership.—
Benjamin Laker,
Forbes,
21 Mar. 2025
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Bezos has also been careful to cultivate social and financial ties with his family.—
Ashley Belanger,
Ars Technica,
20 Mar. 2025
Verb
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These viral particles continue to multiply or stimulate the immune system in ways that trigger long Covid symptoms.—
Katie Camero,
NBC News,
11 Mar. 2025
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Transferring everyday items from their bulky, visually stimulating packaging into pretty containers is one way to organize your home while maintaining your design style.—
Mary Cornetta,
Better Homes & Gardens,
10 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Persistent inflation could deter the Fed from moving to nudge down interest rates and lower borrowing costs for consumers and businesses, experts note.—
Alain Sherter,
CBS News,
7 Mar. 2025
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Jackie, on the other hand, will stand directly by him and nudge closer until he is forced to get up.—
Devyn Byers,
CNN,
5 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Set against the stunning backdrop of Northern California’s wine country, the festival offers a blend of screenings, live conversations, industry panels and immersive experiences, fostering meaningful connections between creators and audiences.—
Scott Feinberg,
The Hollywood Reporter,
10 Mar. 2025
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The fund, which seeks to foster economic development in traditionally underserved communities, approves grants on a competitive basis.—
Kenneth R. Gosselin,
Hartford Courant,
10 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Encourage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/encourage. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.
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