encourage

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Synonym Chooser

How does the verb encourage differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of encourage are embolden, hearten, and inspirit. While all these words mean "to fill with courage or strength of purpose," encourage suggests the raising of one's confidence especially by an external agency.

the teacher's praise encouraged the students to greater efforts

When might embolden be a better fit than encourage?

While the synonyms embolden and encourage are close in meaning, embolden implies the giving of courage sufficient to overcome timidity or reluctance.

emboldened by her first success, she tried an even more difficult climb

When is hearten a more appropriate choice than encourage?

The words hearten and encourage can be used in similar contexts, but hearten implies the lifting of dispiritedness or despondency by an infusion of fresh courage or zeal.

a hospital patient heartened by good news

Where would inspirit be a reasonable alternative to encourage?

The meanings of inspirit and encourage largely overlap; however, inspirit, somewhat literary, implies instilling life, energy, courage, or vigor into something.

patriots inspirited the people to resist

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of encourage Venus enters Pisces on January 1 and should support your productivity levels, encouraging a fresh perspective on your daily routines. Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 Mar. 2025 Avoiding these common hummingbird feeder mistakes to encourage hummers to spend more time in your yard. Lauren David, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Mar. 2025 Rather than focusing on what may have caused the Champlain Towers South to fail, attorneys on a task force of a Florida Bar law section encouraged the Legislature to force condo associations to save money for future building maintenance. Alexandra Glorioso, Miami Herald, 1 Mar. 2025 Provide opportunities for professional growth, encourage open feedback, and show appreciation for hard work. Johnny C. Taylor Jr., USA TODAY, 19 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for encourage
Recent Examples of Synonyms for encourage
Verb
  • From her childhood sewing machine and early college sketches, to up-close looks at the Malcolm X zoot suits and Turkana-tribe inspired beadwork for Black Panther, the result was a comprehensive, full-circle story.
    Essence, Essence, 4 Mar. 2025
  • Create 5 different ways to end emails that inspire action without being salesy.
    Jodie Cook, Forbes, 4 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Fraudsters also promote the overstated withholding scheme, encouraging taxpayers to inflate income and withholding on forms like W-2s and 1099s for larger refunds.
    Dan Perry, Newsweek, 1 Mar. 2025
  • But the big reveal, designed to promote President Donald Trump’s new culture of transparency, fell flat.
    Julie K. Brown, Miami Herald, 1 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Even the revelation that settlement talks have been held has provoked news staffers.
    Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 26 Feb. 2025
  • The earworm record provokes a sense of longing, one that is uplifting, cathartic and beautiful.
    Lisa Kocay, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Consumers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume them.
    David Faris, Newsweek, 27 Feb. 2025
  • In the continued fight for racial justice and amid reinvigorated efforts to erase Black contributions to American history, Wells would urge activists to be steadfast in speaking truth into the world and advocating relentlessly for a more racially just America.
    Amy Gais / Made by History, TIME, 27 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Just like any other leadership competency, imagination can be cultivated and strengthened through intentional practice.
    Cheryl Robinson, Forbes, 8 Mar. 2025
  • But beyond O’Brien meeting with prominent GOP members and even cultivating a relationship with the president, his different approach is yielding results.
    Jeremiah Poff, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 7 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • The jokey, gleefully profane lyrics are stimulating in the moment but then quickly forgotten, like novelty songs in a clever college cabaret.
    Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 1 Mar. 2025
  • Such a device could perhaps stimulate different parts of the tongue to, say, determine if the brain was processing sensory signals properly.
    Gayoung Lee, Scientific American, 28 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Persistent inflation could deter the Fed from moving to nudge down interest rates and lower borrowing costs for consumers and businesses, experts note.
    Alain Sherter, CBS News, 7 Mar. 2025
  • Jackie, on the other hand, will stand directly by him and nudge closer until he is forced to get up.
    Devyn Byers, CNN, 5 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Allowing your children to make age-appropriate decisions can foster their autonomy, and take the burden off of parents in the long run when their kids are able to problem solve and make challenging decisions on their own.
    Taylor Grothe, Parents, 26 Feb. 2025
  • Below are practical steps to foster a culture of care: 1.
    Angela Cusack, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Encourage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/encourage. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.

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