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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of encourage
Though Zoo staff encouraged the pair to breed, none of their cubs survived longer than a few days.
—
Meilan Solly, Smithsonian Magazine, 24 Jan. 2025
Her fiancé Michael Polansky encouraged her to make a pop record
Gaga met businessman Polansky back in 2019, at Napster founder Sean Parker’s birthday party.
—Brittany Spanos, Rolling Stone, 24 Jan. 2025
Lending pandas to zoos across the U.S. and other countries also encourages reproduction and helps save the giant pandas from extinction.
—Jennifer Borresen, USA TODAY, 24 Jan. 2025
Sure enough, the process yielded ammonia without producing any CO2 or requiring any outside energy to encourage the chemical process.
—Michael Franco, New Atlas, 24 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for encourage 
Meilan Solly, Smithsonian Magazine, 24 Jan. 2025
Her fiancé Michael Polansky encouraged her to make a pop record
Gaga met businessman Polansky back in 2019, at Napster founder Sean Parker’s birthday party.
—Brittany Spanos, Rolling Stone, 24 Jan. 2025
Lending pandas to zoos across the U.S. and other countries also encourages reproduction and helps save the giant pandas from extinction.
—Jennifer Borresen, USA TODAY, 24 Jan. 2025
Sure enough, the process yielded ammonia without producing any CO2 or requiring any outside energy to encourage the chemical process.
—Michael Franco, New Atlas, 24 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for encourage
Recent Examples of Synonyms for encourage
Verb
-
For a creative twist to any day on the island, The Library by the Sea serves up cocktails inspired by literary classics in a setting that feels both elegant and imaginative.—
Melissa Noel,
Essence,
15 Jan. 2025
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This collaboration celebrates the power of connection, inspiring travelers to embrace paths that transform not only their journeys but their lives.—
Hilary Tetenbaum,
USA TODAY,
15 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Trump’s order also rescinded policies that required federal contractors to promote affirmative action and diversity programs—his actions are in line with promises listed in his Agenda 47 platform outlined during his campaign.—
Rebecca Schneid,
TIME,
25 Jan. 2025
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The Spaniard gave him his Premier League debut against Bournemouth in mid-December and promoted him into the first-team set-up.—
Roshane Thomas,
The Athletic,
24 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Diplomatic Risks: The designation could provoke international disputes, particularly with Mexico, complicating its legal and practical implementation.—
Andy J. Semotiuk,
Forbes,
21 Jan. 2025
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The emotional bedrock underneath is the thing that’s provoking feeling in me.—
Harrison Richlin,
IndieWire,
18 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Parents were urged to not come to the school and instead to go to a hospital to reunite with their children.—
Alex Sundby,
CBS News,
22 Jan. 2025
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The Biden administration had urged Tanbreez to rebuff offers from Chinese bidders because the mine’s gallium has potential military applications.—
Andrew Ross Sorkin,
New York Times,
22 Jan. 2025
Verb
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At one point, lavender was cultivated on nearly 1,000 hectares of Hvar, and the island itself accounted for nearly 10 percent of the world’s total lavender production.—
Kristin Braswell,
Travel + Leisure,
19 Jan. 2025
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As was the case in the Middle East and Afghanistan, ISIS' West Africa Province (ISWAP) cultivated local partnerships by capitalizing on existing conflicts between government forces and insurgents, including Nigeria's powerful Boko Haram, to establish itself as a major player in the region.—
David Faris,
Newsweek,
19 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Editor tip: This balm also includes Centella asiatica (a.k.a. cica) extract to stimulate collagen production to improve texture and bounciness.—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
23 Jan. 2025
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Chronic stress, when the sympathetic nervous system doesn’t have a chance to release control, stimulates cortisol production.—
Shani Harmon,
Forbes,
23 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Without talking heads or voice-over to nudge things along, stories are told entirely in subtext.—
Michael Schulman,
The New Yorker,
20 Jan. 2025
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Skellefteå, a small, discreet city in northern Sweden nudged its way into must-visit global tourist rankings after the country’s tallest wooden hotel and cultural center opened there in 2022.—
Maddy Savage,
TIME,
18 Jan. 2025
Verb
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This trend fosters a sense of individuality and cultural depth, making every space feel distinctive and meaningful.—
Roger Sands,
Forbes,
21 Jan. 2025
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Image Cafes have long fostered a sense of community in France.—
Vivian Song,
New York Times,
21 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near encourage
Cite this Entry
“Encourage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/encourage. Accessed 29 Jan. 2025.
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