1
as in promising
having qualities which inspire hope
encouraging signs that the economy is improving
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of encouraging
Christine Pelisek, People.com, 29 Jan. 2025
Though the results are encouraging, experts caution that the study is small and more research is needed to understand elderberry juice's true effect on weight.
—Hannah Singleton, Health, 29 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
And that's encouraging, and that's really a step one, because nothing was gonna happen until that changed.
—Christine Pelisek, People.com, 29 Jan. 2025
Though the results are encouraging, experts caution that the study is small and more research is needed to understand elderberry juice's true effect on weight.
—Hannah Singleton, Health, 29 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
-
This year marks the 12th consecutive partnership between the Black List and Elwes to support a promising writer with independent sensibilities with in-person mentorship and exposure to the indie film world.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
11 Feb. 2025
-
But his promising debut was cut short by a minor injury in the team’s 116-105 victory over the Houston Rockets on Saturday.—
Issy Ronald and Jacob Lev,
CNN,
9 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Around nine in ten Catholics who identify with or lean toward the Democratic Party have a favorable view of him, compared to 63 percent of Catholics who identify with or lean toward the Republican Party.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
14 Feb. 2025
-
Each metric was graded on a 100-point scale, with 100 representing the most favorable conditions for singles who are actively dating.—
Fernanda Galan,
Sacramento Bee,
14 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
And the art of delegation requires inspiring direction, enabling resources, empowering authority, and credible accountability.—
George Bradt,
Forbes,
30 Dec. 2024
-
Princess Diana’s style is still inspiring generations.—
Alyssa Grabinski,
People.com,
30 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
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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The simple and accessible name is helping the brand and its followers create a one-of-a-kind community on all social media platforms, empowering innovative voices to join together in promoting hair health online.—
Kaitlyn Gomez,
USA TODAY,
8 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Yet when North Korea invaded South Korea, the United States intervened forcefully, pushing up to the Chinese border and provoking a ferocious Chinese counterattack.—
Michael Beckley,
Foreign Affairs,
7 Jan. 2025
-
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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In 2023, a billboard displaying Graves' photo was placed near the festival site, urging attendees to provide any information to authorities.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
3 Jan. 2025
-
With declining tax revenues, the Kremlin is urging war-profiteering oligarchs to bear more of the burden.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
3 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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In this case, bright, sensitive 10-year-old Chuang (Wang Shang) feels unwanted in multiple households.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
14 Feb. 2025
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Her Los Angeles home is sunny and bright, with books lining the shelves, smiling snapshots of family and friends, and artwork filling nearly every wall.—
Kate Storey,
Rolling Stone,
14 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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All this suggests how rewarding a deeper dive into Jarrett as both man and musician might have been.—
David Rooney,
The Hollywood Reporter,
16 Feb. 2025
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The firm also said the board has failed in its fundamental oversight duties, rewarding management with compensation disconnected from the company’s performance.—
Kenneth Squire,
CNBC,
15 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near encouraging
Cite this Entry
“Encouraging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/encouraging. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
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