1
as in promising
having qualities which inspire hope
encouraging signs that the economy is improving
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2
as in comforting
making one feel good inside
the encouraging story of a young girl who overcame great social and physical obstacles to become an outstanding athlete
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3
as in favorable
pointing toward a happy outcome
we're off to an encouraging start on this project
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1
as in inspiring
to fill with courage or strength of purpose
a pep talk that encouraged the team to get out there and win
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2
as in promoting
to help the growth or development of
asserted that the government should be encouraging small businesses, not smothering them with regulations
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3
as in provoking
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
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4
as in urging
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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Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of encouraging
Peter Baugh, The Athletic, 9 Jan. 2025
The encouraging numbers from Chicago are not unique.
—F.k. Plous, Chicago Tribune, 8 Jan. 2025
Daniel Markind, Forbes, 24 Dec. 2024
That same week before Christmas, politically inclined businessman Willie Wilson was at Cook County Jail with a bunch of pastors, encouraging the incarcerated to find a new path, make better choices and never return once they are released.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 24 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for encouraging 
Adjective
The 31-year-old has shown encouraging signs since the holiday break, but overall the season has been a massive disappointment.
—Peter Baugh, The Athletic, 9 Jan. 2025
The encouraging numbers from Chicago are not unique.
—F.k. Plous, Chicago Tribune, 8 Jan. 2025
Verb
That results in Canada trying to cut interest rates to stimulate the economy while America has not needed to, encouraging investment in American bonds.
—Daniel Markind, Forbes, 24 Dec. 2024
That same week before Christmas, politically inclined businessman Willie Wilson was at Cook County Jail with a bunch of pastors, encouraging the incarcerated to find a new path, make better choices and never return once they are released.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 24 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for encouraging
Recent Examples of Synonyms for encouraging
Adjective
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Schmidt was the most promising addition of the bunch as a budget Oliver Ekman-Larsson replacement.Harman Dayal, The Athletic, 8 Jan. 2025
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The right winger is widely-regarded to be soccer's most promising young talent, and has already been garnished with the Kopa Trophy and Golden Boy award as Europe's best player under the age of 21.Tom Sanderson, Forbes, 8 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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For the DraftKings and the FanDuel’s of the world, the companies can respond by offering less favorable odds to bettors in high-tax jurisdictions.Matt Rybaltowski, Forbes, 10 Jan. 2025
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Left unsaid in the motion for withdrawal was the consequence of the 2024 presidential election—the agency will likely take a much less favorable attitude towards college athlete employment under incoming president Donald Trump.Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 10 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Princess Diana’s style is still inspiring generations.Alyssa Grabinski, People.com, 30 Dec. 2024
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And the art of delegation requires inspiring direction, enabling resources, empowering authority, and credible accountability.George Bradt, Forbes, 30 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Meanwhile Russia is promoting drone awareness in children in other ways, down to children’s cartoons in which characters use their videogame skills to pilot drones delivering toys.David Hambling, Forbes, 8 Jan. 2025
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Also, an activation event promoting Meta Quest with an appearance by Jane Fonda promoting her new VR fitness series in West Hollywood has been canceled.Katcy Stephan, Variety, 8 Jan. 2025
Verb
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This will deepen the divide between the global North and South on issues of race and cultural difference, straining the West’s diplomatic relations with countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America while provoking broader resentment toward Western countries seen as perpetuating racial hierarchies.Matias Spektor, Foreign Affairs, 7 Jan. 2025
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In 2008, the United States suggested that Georgia and Ukraine might eventually join the alliance but offered no concrete path to membership, thus provoking Russia without effectively deterring it.Michael Beckley, Foreign Affairs, 7 Jan. 2025
Verb
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AccuWeather experts are urging travelers to avoid unnecessary travel and to prepare for significant disruptions this weekend.Amanda Castro, Newsweek, 3 Jan. 2025
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Federal officials had issued a warning to local law enforcement agencies some two weeks before the attack urging them to be vigilant about similar incidents.Jakob Rodgers, The Mercury News, 3 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Maybe a pet knocked over your potted succulent plant or an outdoor succulent’s leaves were injured by bright sun, pests, or another issue.Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Jan. 2025
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Like most at-home teeth-whitening options, teeth-whitening pens contain an active ingredient to remove stains and neutralize tones for a whiter, brighter effect.Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 9 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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How ‘Wicked’ Changed the Lives of Its Stars: Only the women who’ve played Elphaba and Glinda in the show’s two decades onstage understand why the roles are so taxing — and so rewarding, too.Benjamin Malapris, New York Times, 9 Jan. 2025
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That, to me, is so rewarding and significant and a beautiful testimony to Emily.Michael Dorgan, Fox News, 7 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near encouraging
Cite this Entry
“Encouraging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/encouraging. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.
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