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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of encourage
Those with information are encouraged to call 1-800-4PA TIPS (1-800-472-8477).
—
Sarah Fortinsky, The Hill, 13 Apr. 2025
Forgiveness also helps reduce harmful conflict behaviors and encourages positive effort toward rebuilding relationships.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 13 Apr. 2025
This event offers residents a free drive-through, drop-off service to encourage the extended use of products and to prevent valuable resources from being sent to the landfill.
—Anne Gelhaus, Mercury News, 13 Apr. 2025
And anybody that would encourage her to do otherwise is just being utterly ridiculous.
—ABC News, 13 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for encourage
Sarah Fortinsky, The Hill, 13 Apr. 2025
Forgiveness also helps reduce harmful conflict behaviors and encourages positive effort toward rebuilding relationships.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 13 Apr. 2025
This event offers residents a free drive-through, drop-off service to encourage the extended use of products and to prevent valuable resources from being sent to the landfill.
—Anne Gelhaus, Mercury News, 13 Apr. 2025
And anybody that would encourage her to do otherwise is just being utterly ridiculous.
—ABC News, 13 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for encourage
Recent Examples of Synonyms for encourage
Verb
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Garcia inspired a steady stream of social media wisecracks by pairing the red hat and shirt for his LIV Golf team, Fireballs GC, with bright yellow pants.—
Brooks Peck,
New York Times,
11 Apr. 2025
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Whether Coen can turn the Jaguars around hinges largely on his ability to remain true to himself, provide guidance to an equally unproven coaching staff and connect with and inspire an entire roster to catch his vision.—
Mike Jones,
New York Times,
11 Apr. 2025
Verb
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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
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In a social media post Sunday, Kennedy promoted two such practitioners who have become popular in West Texas among vaccine-hesitant families: Ben Edwards and Richard Bartlett.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
7 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Brit, still processing, clocks that Kenya was angling for a full-on meltdown, trying to provoke her into playing the aggressor.—
Shelby Stewart,
Essence,
14 Apr. 2025
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Tariffs essentially act as an indirect tax on consumers, provoke retaliatory measures, drive inflation higher, and destabilize financial markets.—
Christian Catalini,
Forbes.com,
11 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Lacy’s father, Kenny Lacy, addressed his son’s death in an emotional Facebook post, urging other parents to stay tuned in to their children’s mental health.—
Essence News Editors,
Essence,
14 Apr. 2025
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Instead of immediately attempting to call off his rabid supporters, Trump sat on his hands as his supporters stormed the Capitol—even as members of his own party urged him to help.—
Ali Breland,
The Atlantic,
14 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Since selling the bulk of its cable and studio assets to Walt Disney Co. in 2019, Fox News’ corporate parent has focused intently on programming that cultivates live viewership.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
9 Apr. 2025
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It must be cultivated with intention and consistency, and often, small steps are required to build it.—
Dr. Jennifer Bryant,
Forbes.com,
9 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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This season, filmed mostly on the Thai island of Ko Samui, used the new setting to nudge its characters toward pursuits beyond the flesh.—
Hannah Giorgis,
The Atlantic,
7 Apr. 2025
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Still, word of departure spreads fast, potentially nudging more Canadians to follow suit, DuPont says.—
Sami Sparber,
Axios,
2 Apr. 2025
Verb
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This approach fosters a hybrid workforce, where human expertise and AI agents collaborate seamlessly to enhance both efficiency and innovation.—
Chris Gallagher,
USA Today,
14 Apr. 2025
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This practice can foster a better relationship with your child and help with childhood language and cognitive development.—
Yvette Thompson-Echevarria,
Miami Herald,
14 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Encourage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/encourage. Accessed 20 Apr. 2025.
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