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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of encourage
The charity tennis tournament was organized in his memory to raise money for Charlotte local mental health charities and, crucially, to encourage open conversations about mental health, especially among men, who often feel pressure to hide their struggles.
—
Ace The Stigma Foundation, Charlotte Observer, 6 June 2025
After Trump’s call with Xi, the US president said he was encouraged that ongoing trade tensions could soon be resolved.
—John Towfighi, CNN Money, 6 June 2025
Overall, the diet encourages people to eat whole foods that are low in salicylates.
—Patty Weasler, Verywell Health, 6 June 2025
Musk, who spent almost $300 million on last year’s election, had also encouraged the primarying of lawmakers who voted for it.
—Christian Datoc, The Washington Examiner, 6 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for encourage
Ace The Stigma Foundation, Charlotte Observer, 6 June 2025
After Trump’s call with Xi, the US president said he was encouraged that ongoing trade tensions could soon be resolved.
—John Towfighi, CNN Money, 6 June 2025
Overall, the diet encourages people to eat whole foods that are low in salicylates.
—Patty Weasler, Verywell Health, 6 June 2025
Musk, who spent almost $300 million on last year’s election, had also encouraged the primarying of lawmakers who voted for it.
—Christian Datoc, The Washington Examiner, 6 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for encourage
Recent Examples of Synonyms for encourage
Verb
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However, it’s inspired a trend that has been adopted by some of soccer’s biggest names — and sometimes, champagne isn’t even involved.—
Elias Burke,
New York Times,
8 June 2025
-
Michael Jordan inspired fear and resentment in his teammates and won six championships.—
Louisa Thomas,
New Yorker,
8 June 2025
Verb
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Pollard was promoted to be executive vice president in 1980 and then president and chief operating officer in 1981 before he was named ServiceMaster’s CEO in 1983, succeeding Wessner.—
Bob Goldsborough,
Chicago Tribune,
7 June 2025
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But on one March evening, these hulking installations were just a backdrop: Goose, and 1,000 of its most ardent fans, descended on the space for a special event promoting the ascendant Connecticut jam band’s new album, Everything Must Go (released April 25).—
Lyndsey Havens,
Billboard,
6 June 2025
Verb
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Couple that with an alarming increase in misogyny in both politics and the culture at large, and women in the public eye are at constant risk of accidentally provoking these types of hate campaigns.—
Stephanie McNeal,
Glamour,
13 June 2025
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The 1925 offside rule, therefore, initially created incredibly attack-minded football, and then provoked considerably more cautious football.—
Michael Cox,
New York Times,
12 June 2025
Verb
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With Israel saying its operation could last weeks, and Netanyahu urging Iran's people to rise up against their Islamic clerical rulers, fears have grown of a regional conflagration dragging in outside powers.—
Alexander Cornwell,
USA Today,
15 June 2025
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Residents are urged to stay alert, remain aware of their surroundings.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
15 June 2025
Verb
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Figgins hopes to create a space where training to be a dancer is safe and nurturing but also requires discipline and rigor necessary to cultivate students’ talents.—
Jeryl Brunner,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2025
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On June 25, for instance, there will be a new moon in Cancer, which is all about emotional new beginnings and a time to cultivate and nurture what reminds us of home.—
Valerie Mesa,
People.com,
12 June 2025
Verb
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Just like weight-bearing exercises, the vibrations stimulate osteocytes, which send signals to the two other types of bone cells–osteoblasts and osteoclasts–to create new bone matter and recycle the old.—
Jia H. Jung,
Mercury News,
4 June 2025
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The electrode stimulates the nerve, opening the airway by moving the tongue forward.1 Hypoglossal nerve stimulation surgery can effectively resolve snoring for some.—
Sukaina Hasnie,
Verywell Health,
4 June 2025
Verb
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All molecules need is a slight nudge to send them spinning out of the atmosphere, and the energy to give them that nudge comes from the sun.—
Keith Cooper,
Space.com,
12 June 2025
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The suburban SoCal Wilsons — brothers Brian, Dennis, and Carl — were encouraged to write and sing by their father, Murry, who put his own musical ambitions on hold when the children arrived but nudged them imposingly into the industry instead.—
Craig Jenkins,
Vulture,
12 June 2025
Verb
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Moreover, narcissistic parents often foster competition and sibling rivalry, or even compete with their children’s romantic partners.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
14 June 2025
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Pitch Stop presents a selection of up to 10 projects currently in development and financing from first and second-time directors to international film professionals to foster cross-border cooperation, especially between Black Sea countries.—
Rafa Sales Ross,
Variety,
13 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Encourage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/encourage. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.
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