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
That sensation is thought to promote a feeling of calm and relaxation by encouraging the nervous system to shift into a more restful state, similar to the comfort of being hugged or swaddled.
—
Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 15 May 2026
Installed in December, the French store proved to be particularly instrumental, said Franchini, encouraging the cofounders to cross the pond too.
—Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 15 May 2026
These and other moves might suggest San Diego is backing off its years-long effort to encourage more housing development with hopes that boosting supply will help moderate sky-high prices.
—Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 May 2026
Bass said Pratt’s videos encourage aggression.
—Britta Miller, The Washington Examiner, 15 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for encourage
Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 15 May 2026
Installed in December, the French store proved to be particularly instrumental, said Franchini, encouraging the cofounders to cross the pond too.
—Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 15 May 2026
These and other moves might suggest San Diego is backing off its years-long effort to encourage more housing development with hopes that boosting supply will help moderate sky-high prices.
—Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 May 2026
Bass said Pratt’s videos encourage aggression.
—Britta Miller, The Washington Examiner, 15 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for encourage
Recent Examples of Synonyms for encourage
Verb
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While Kendrick Lamar was conquering the hip-hop world, Rashad was honing an introspective style inspired by Southern hip-hop pioneers like Lil Wayne and OutKast.—
Kelefa Sanneh,
New Yorker,
15 May 2026
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And, if bright white pants aren’t your thing, keep reading for off-white styles inspired by Martha Stewart and Joanna Gaines.—
Rylee Johnston,
PEOPLE,
15 May 2026
Verb
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The top professional sports leagues formed a coalition with some broadcasters, including NBC and Fox, three years ago and agreed that betting should be marketed only to fans of legal age and that excessive gambling should not be promoted.—
Luke Connors,
Washington Post,
19 May 2026
-
Musk promoted the accomplishment on Twitter.—
Ashley Capoot,Lora Kolodny,
CNBC,
18 May 2026
Verb
-
Similar summaries of the show in the magazine Soap Opera Digest provoked outrage within the fledgling magazine’s readership.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
18 May 2026
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On May 18, Venus will conclude its journey through the flirtatious and thought-provoking sign of Gemini and enter the sentimental and hopeless romantic sign of Cancer.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
18 May 2026
Verb
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Citing statements from jurors and a county clerk who aided Hill, Murdaugh's lawyers say Hill urged jurors not to be confused by Murdaugh's defense tactics and to watch his body language — and that she was motivated by plans to publish a book about the case.—
Bill Chappell,
NPR,
13 May 2026
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Cfoto | Future Publishing | Getty Images India, the world's second-largest gold consumer, has raised import duties on gold and silver to 15% from 6%, just days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged citizens to curb bullion purchases for a year as overseas purchases pressure the rupee.—
Priyanka Salve,
CNBC,
13 May 2026
Verb
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Picking a pineapple in Upcountry In the 1960s, Hawaii produced 80 percent of the world’s pineapple—the fruit was synonymous with the state—and on the slopes of Haleakala, Maui Gold Pineapple was queen, cultivating 10,000 acres of the sweetest fruit around.—
Laura Dannen Redman,
Robb Report,
14 May 2026
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Today, Fingerboard cultivates hemp, a type of cannabis that, unlike marijuana, is nonintoxicating and widely considered a wellness product.—
William Deffaa,
Baltimore Sun,
14 May 2026
Verb
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Certain exercises can help slow bone loss and stimulate bone growth.—
RikkiLynn Shields Hannigan,
Health,
14 May 2026
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The real show, however, takes place on the surface, as the big, meaty bugs stimulate some of the hottest topwater action of the year.—
Dac Collins,
Outdoor Life,
14 May 2026
Verb
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Fragrant Thai basil, briny fish sauce, and tangy tamarind anchor rotating menus that nudge diners to dive deeper into the complex flavors of Thai cuisine.—
Alicia Underlee Nelson,
Midwest Living,
15 May 2026
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From July 2024 to July 2025, Charlotte added 20,731 people, and also nudging its population total closer to the 1 million mark, according to Census Bureau estimates released Thursday.—
John Marks,
Charlotte Observer,
14 May 2026
Verb
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Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) refers to a set of organizational practices aimed at building workforces that reflect a range of backgrounds, ensuring fair access to opportunity, and fostering workplace cultures where employees from different demographics can contribute fully.—
Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez,
Fortune,
19 May 2026
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In 2019, the group launched La Grande Bellezza – The Dream Factory, an initiative designed to foster collaborations with leading artisans and historic ateliers, highlighting creativity, savoir-faire and cultural heritage.—
Sofia Celeste,
Footwear News,
19 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Encourage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/encourage. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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