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
What’s more, Eastwick told me, apps can encourage people to judge their dates too quickly—and perhaps move on prematurely.
—
Olga Khazan, The Atlantic, 13 Feb. 2026
Dry similar fabrics together to encourage even drying time.
—Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 13 Feb. 2026
Prominent business leaders like hedge fund owner Ken Griffin and Miami Dolphins owner and real estate developer Stephen Ross are actively encouraging more billionaires to relocate their money and companies to Florida.
—Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 13 Feb. 2026
The experience is also meant to be educational, encouraging guests to learn the science behind slime while playing.
—Tanasia Kenney, Charlotte Observer, 13 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for encourage
Olga Khazan, The Atlantic, 13 Feb. 2026
Dry similar fabrics together to encourage even drying time.
—Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 13 Feb. 2026
Prominent business leaders like hedge fund owner Ken Griffin and Miami Dolphins owner and real estate developer Stephen Ross are actively encouraging more billionaires to relocate their money and companies to Florida.
—Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 13 Feb. 2026
The experience is also meant to be educational, encouraging guests to learn the science behind slime while playing.
—Tanasia Kenney, Charlotte Observer, 13 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for encourage
Recent Examples of Synonyms for encourage
Verb
-
While it was made in the ‘90s, the collection (which showed slip dresses, shirts with undulating ruffles, and jacquard silk jackets constructed to look permanently burst-open) was inspired by the romance between Napoleon Bonaparte and his wife Josephine.—
Leah Dolan,
CNN Money,
6 Feb. 2026
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The work was inspired by cephalopods such as octopuses, which can rapidly alter their skin’s appearance and texture to blend into their surroundings or communicate.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Ramstead is a firefighter and paramedic who was hired by the Pasadena Fire Department in 2005 and promoted to the rank of captain in 2016.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Feb. 2026
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This will help maintain a manageable size for indoor growing and promote a bushier appearance.—
SJ McShane,
Martha Stewart,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Chris Young’s Beyond Earth column explores the intersection of space technology and policy, providing thought-provoking commentary on the latest advancements and regulatory developments in the sector.—
Chris Young,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Feb. 2026
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The International Shark Attack File, run by the Florida Museum of Natural History, classifies the attacks as provoked or unprovoked based on whether a human initiated the contact.—
Natalie Neysa Alund,
USA Today,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The Lake County Council passed a resolution Tuesday to urge the state legislature to pass a bill to disclose the specific fees hidden in utility bill delivery charges.—
Alexandra Kukulka,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Feb. 2026
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As an example, Raskin pointed to the Justice Department’s failed attempt to indict six Democratic lawmakers who urged service members to not comply with unlawful orders in a video posted in November.—
Ana Ceballos,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The actor, who also produced the film alongside Safdie, Ronald Bronstein, Eli Bush and Anthony Katagas, has cultivated a solid relationship with Chinese moviegoers through previous releases.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
5 Feb. 2026
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Why Seedlings Need to Be Hardened Off Indoor seedlings are cultivated in a sheltered environment where they’re protected from harsh winds, bright sunlight, and cool spring breezes.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Then, they are manually placed on Multi Electrode Arrays (MEAs), a grid of tiny electrodes on a biocompatible substrate chip that records and stimulates neurons using 32 electrodes grouped into four sets of eight.—
Matthew S Williams,
Interesting Engineering,
5 Feb. 2026
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To wit, lymphatic brushes join the ranks of depuffing tools like gua shas, face rollers, and dry brushes; most working to stimulate lymphatic drainage, your body’s natural detoxification process.—
Emily Orofino,
Vogue,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The combination of the car weighing less than 1,750 pounds, its slippery shape, and its high-strung engine, allows the 202 to nudge 105 mph.—
Robert Ross,
Robb Report,
13 Feb. 2026
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Epstein wasted no time in trying to leverage Kimbal Musk’s new romance to his advantage, and nudge his way into Elon Musk’s orbit.—
Eva Roytburg,
Fortune,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The platform fosters a space for community energy and excitement, coupled with intellectual drive.—
Connie Etemadi,
USA Today,
10 Feb. 2026
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This support was both rhetorical and strategic, fostering security partnerships that would later pave the way for collaboration on framing criminal threats.—
Evandro Cruz Silva,
The Dial,
10 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Encourage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/encourage. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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