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
Readers should not rely solely on the content of this article and are encouraged to seek professional advice tailored to their specific circumstances.
—
Sacbee.com, 3 Apr. 2026
Third, reducing excessive state intervention in pricing and business operations would allow markets to function more efficiently, encouraging entrepreneurship and competition.
—Oscar De La Rosa, Boston Herald, 3 Apr. 2026
One of the first people to strongly encourage Crane to write the book was Joe Queenan, a prolific essayist and columnist for the Wall Street Journal.
—Annie Vainshtein, San Francisco Chronicle, 3 Apr. 2026
Customers are encouraged to check with their local store for pharmacy hours on Easter.
—Gabe Hauari, USA Today, 3 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for encourage
Sacbee.com, 3 Apr. 2026
Third, reducing excessive state intervention in pricing and business operations would allow markets to function more efficiently, encouraging entrepreneurship and competition.
—Oscar De La Rosa, Boston Herald, 3 Apr. 2026
One of the first people to strongly encourage Crane to write the book was Joe Queenan, a prolific essayist and columnist for the Wall Street Journal.
—Annie Vainshtein, San Francisco Chronicle, 3 Apr. 2026
Customers are encouraged to check with their local store for pharmacy hours on Easter.
—Gabe Hauari, USA Today, 3 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for encourage
Recent Examples of Synonyms for encourage
Verb
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The new menu reflects a broader trend in stadium dining, where teams are looking into unique and locally inspired food items, while also enhancing the overall game day experience.—
Jasmine Arenas,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
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While breakfast and lunch are served à la carte, Chef Luca’s dinner menu changes daily, inspired by the season and its available ingredients.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
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As technology has evolved, car shows have also become a stage to debut and promote emerging forms of transportation.—
Charles Singh,
USA Today,
31 Mar. 2026
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Several of her Instagram posts also included hashtags promoting Swift’s album.—
Joe Kottke,
NBC news,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
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But Felder also feared that the attack would provoke unprecedented violence against Palestinians, and believed that being Jewish required adhering to certain moral precepts.—
Eyal Press,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
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Analysts have warned such a move could provoke wider retaliation and further destabilize shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, through which a significant share of the world’s oil supply passes.—
Steve Mollman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
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In a statement, the Stop Aurora Pit Bull Ban Team, a group that advocated for repealing the city's breed-specific ban, urged caution in drawing conclusions about the incident.—
Tori Mason,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
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Millions of citizens across Europe have been urged to work from home and drive less amid the energy crisis caused by the Iran war.—
Matthew Robinson,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Taubel believes some of the supply problems have eased as early cultivator licensees' initial plants have fully grown and are cultivated.—
Caroline Cummings,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
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Reviving that legacy would mean cultivating a new trust in government—such that an official knock at the door might be expected to herald something good as opposed to a masked federal agent.—
Molly Fischer,
New Yorker,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The Icon Park attraction will limit capacity, dim lighting, lower the music and disable stimulating exhibits.—
Dewayne Bevil,
The Orlando Sentinel,
2 Apr. 2026
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Katzenback recommends four sets of five repetitions with heavy weights to stimulate bone growth.—
Hadia Zainab,
CNN Money,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The same is true for film, where streaming apps like Netflix have nudged aside movie theaters and DVDs.—
Michael Butler,
Miami Herald,
3 Apr. 2026
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Others have a slightly more optimistic take, particularly given that gas prices have nudged past the $4/gallon psychological barrier.—
Jonathan M. Gitlin,
ArsTechnica,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The new rules are designed to profit both business and society by fostering greater innovation, improving patient access to medicine, and tackling major public health challenges.—
Francesca Cassidy,
Fortune,
31 Mar. 2026
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It’s designed to improve skin and scalp health while fostering improved sleep, circulation, and a better mood.—
Jenny Berg,
Vogue,
31 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Encourage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/encourage. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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