encouragement

noun

en·​cour·​age·​ment in-ˈkər-ij-mənt How to pronounce encouragement (audio)
-ˈkə-rij-,
en-
1
: the act of encouraging : the state of being encouraged
2
: something that encourages

Examples of encouragement in a Sentence

Our aim is the encouragement of investment. the encouragement of plant growth teachers who give their students a lot of encouragement With support and encouragement from their parents, the students organized a fundraiser. They offered him gifts of money and other encouragements.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Iwobi’s encouragement had an immediate impact. Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 22 Sep. 2025 That baby grand has become a beautiful metaphor of encouragement, support, and the need to keep going. Maggie Menderski, Louisville Courier Journal, 22 Sep. 2025 Hernández, a Mexican American engineer who grew up as a migrant farmworker in California, offered a few words of encouragement. Nicole Chavez, CNN Money, 22 Sep. 2025 At the encouragement of Josie, the Borcherts turned to GoFundMe to raise their goal of $60,000. Sophia Arndt, Twin Cities, 22 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for encouragement

Word History

First Known Use

1549, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of encouragement was in 1549

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Cite this Entry

“Encouragement.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/encouragement. Accessed 23 Sep. 2025.

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