ENCOURAGE Synonyms: 201 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'encourage' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of encourage are embolden , hearten , and inspirit . While all these words mean "to fill with courage or strength of purpose," encourage suggests the raising of one's confidence especially by an external agency. // the teacher's praise encouraged the students to greater efforts

Q: When might 'embolden' be a better fit than 'encourage'?

While the synonyms embolden and encourage are close in meaning, embolden implies the giving of courage sufficient to overcome timidity or reluctance. // emboldened by her first success, she tried an even more difficult climb

Q: When is 'hearten' a more appropriate choice than 'encourage'?

The words hearten and encourage can be used in similar contexts, but hearten implies the lifting of dispiritedness or despondency by an infusion of fresh courage or zeal. // a hospital patient heartened by good news

Q: Where would 'inspirit' be a reasonable alternative to 'encourage'?

The meanings of inspirit and encourage largely overlap; however, inspirit , somewhat literary, implies instilling life, energy, courage, or vigor into something. // patriots inspirited the people to resist

encourage

verb

in-ˈkər-ij

Definition of encourage next

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

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

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

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

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb encourage differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of encourage are embolden, hearten, and inspirit. While all these words mean "to fill with courage or strength of purpose," encourage suggests the raising of one's confidence especially by an external agency.

the teacher's praise encouraged the students to greater efforts

When might embolden be a better fit than encourage?

While the synonyms embolden and encourage are close in meaning, embolden implies the giving of courage sufficient to overcome timidity or reluctance.

emboldened by her first success, she tried an even more difficult climb

When is hearten a more appropriate choice than encourage?

The words hearten and encourage can be used in similar contexts, but hearten implies the lifting of dispiritedness or despondency by an infusion of fresh courage or zeal.

a hospital patient heartened by good news

Where would inspirit be a reasonable alternative to encourage?

The meanings of inspirit and encourage largely overlap; however, inspirit, somewhat literary, implies instilling life, energy, courage, or vigor into something.

patriots inspirited the people to resist

Examples Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of encourage Ukrainian forces are waging a campaign of psychological warfare against North Korean troops in a bid to encourage them to surrender. —

Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 26 Dec. 2024 Experts expect the Trump administration to reverse liberal policies that have allowed Medicaid money to be used for healthcare experiments through waivers encouraged by the Biden administration. —

Angela Hart, Los Angeles Times, 26 Dec. 2024 For example, the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada (FCAC) hosted a 2016 budgeting pilot to encourage participants to keep a budget. —

Dana Miranda, TIME, 26 Dec. 2024 Would adding a bench in the hallway encourage you to put on your running shoes? —

Lauren Mechling, Vogue, 25 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for encourage

Recent Examples of Synonyms for encourage

Verb

Advertisement What inspired you to film your special in Hawaii and what started your longtime appreciation for the Aloha State?

Nate Jackson, Los Angeles Times, 16 Dec. 2024
Critics of parlor culture tended to be reformers inspired by William Morris, the English socialist and textile designer who helped launch the Arts and Crafts movement.

Jennifer Wilson, The New Yorker, 16 Dec. 2024