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
Stoner also encourages people of reproductive age to get tested for syphilis, and to have conversations with their partners about STis.
—
Chantelle Lee, Time, 26 Sep. 2025
Caño suggests encouraging daughters to think about fairness when leaders are chosen in schools or clubs.
—Alex Shoemaker, Parents, 26 Sep. 2025
The first government shutdown in six and a half years is quickly approaching, and the White House is encouraging federal agencies to reflect during the pause.
—Jordan Green, Nashville Tennessean, 26 Sep. 2025
Sit at the Bar September, coined by 86-year-old real estate agent and TikTok influencer Laurie Cooper, encourages young singles to go old-school and head to a local watering hole solo to meet people the analog way.
—Li Goldstein, Bon Appetit Magazine, 26 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for encourage
Chantelle Lee, Time, 26 Sep. 2025
Caño suggests encouraging daughters to think about fairness when leaders are chosen in schools or clubs.
—Alex Shoemaker, Parents, 26 Sep. 2025
The first government shutdown in six and a half years is quickly approaching, and the White House is encouraging federal agencies to reflect during the pause.
—Jordan Green, Nashville Tennessean, 26 Sep. 2025
Sit at the Bar September, coined by 86-year-old real estate agent and TikTok influencer Laurie Cooper, encourages young singles to go old-school and head to a local watering hole solo to meet people the analog way.
—Li Goldstein, Bon Appetit Magazine, 26 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for encourage
Recent Examples of Synonyms for encourage
Verb
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Designs are inspired by Bad Bunny's iconography, featuring cultural symbols like pavas (traditional hats worn by rural sugarcane farmers) and Monobloc chairs seen in everyday Puerto Rican life in backyards across the island—and featured on the cover of Debí Tirar Más Fotos.—
Cat Sposato,
Travel + Leisure,
27 Sep. 2025
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There is such a rich world of drag designers and drag artists that are just creating beautiful pieces and inspiring fashion.—
McKinley Franklin,
HollywoodReporter,
27 Sep. 2025
Verb
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In past years, the event has served as a platform for Beijing to promote its national security agenda.—
Evelyn Cheng,
CNBC,
24 Sep. 2025
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Across the Oscars, the BAFTAs, and the SAG awards, glitzy galas, and glam expeditions to Paris to promote The Substance, Moore and her stylist Brad Goreski delighted in gold and sparkles.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
24 Sep. 2025
Verb
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One student told detectives that Clarke provoked the situation by making disparaging remarks at him.—
Milena Malaver,
Miami Herald,
24 Sep. 2025
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The rapper’s willingness to provoke, which often came bundled in a conversation about mental health, catapulted him to the top of pop culture and later, knocked him off the apex.—
Matt Donnelly,
Variety,
22 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Film data researcher and consultant Stephen Follows urged the industry to remain vigilant.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
27 Sep. 2025
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In the days following Kirk's death, high-profile conservative accounts circulated screenshots of controversial remarks and urged for employers to fire the posters.—
Jeanine Santucci,
USA Today,
27 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Joseph Sikora, who plays attorney Bill Sterling, praised the environment Mohamed and Corinealdi have cultivated on set.—
Okla Jones,
Essence,
25 Sep. 2025
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Fifth generation Hamilton County farmer Rodney Rulon not only grows thousands of acres of corn and soy but is now cultivating a new approach to protecting the White River.—
Karl Schneider,
IndyStar,
25 Sep. 2025
Verb
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And that will stimulate some new growth.—
Steve Bender,
Southern Living,
27 Sep. 2025
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This influx is stimulating employment, raising consumption and gradually transforming western China into a new highland for fashion and lifestyle brands.—
Li Jun,
Footwear News,
26 Sep. 2025
Verb
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All of Florida’s tropical storm watches, which covered a swath of the East Coast, were rescinded Sunday afternoon as Tropical Storm Imelda’s forecast track continued to nudge further offshore.—
Alex Harris
Updated September 28,
Miami Herald,
28 Sep. 2025
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With 28 total points up for grabs – eight apiece for foursomes and fourballs sessions across the first two days, and 12 for each Sunday singles matchup – the first team to nudge past the 14-point mark is crowned champion.—
Jack Bantock,
CNN Money,
26 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Democrats have fostered an environment of evil, emboldening radicals to kill, steal, and destroy.—
Eleanor Dearman,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
24 Sep. 2025
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Kirk was the co-founder of Turning Point USA, which was formed to foster a culture of conservatism on school campuses around the nation.—
Althea Legaspi,
Rolling Stone,
24 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Encourage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/encourage. Accessed 1 Oct. 2025.
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