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 But it was avoided at that time with a mix of strong economic growth, disinflation and a robust labor market encouraged by the Federal Reserve, Daco said. Lorie Konish, CNBC, 19 Apr. 2025 After spending several years working as a city planner in Kansas City, Dunn was encouraged by friends and colleges to run for the Missouri House of Representatives, representing the 23rd District in 2012. J.m. Banks, Kansas City Star, 19 Apr. 2025 For example, a VP of sales looking at declining numbers could stop themselves from commanding their team to call an additional 50 leads by the end of week and instead encourage their sales team to be more proactive. Michelle Stansbury, Forbes.com, 19 Apr. 2025 This is part of Israel Katz’s Ministry of Defense plan to encourage those who wish to permanently relocate, aligning with President Trump’s vision for the relocation of Gazans. Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 18 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for encourage
Recent Examples of Synonyms for encourage
Verb
  • May the light of Easter inspire efforts to promote harmony in the western Balkans and sustain political leaders in their efforts to allay tensions and crises, and, together with their partner countries in the region, to reject dangerous and destabilizing actions.
    Fernando Cervantes Jr., USA Today, 22 Apr. 2025
  • The sight of a suitcase has historically inspired dread in me.
    Elisa Wouk Almino, Los Angeles Times, 21 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Infielder David Villar was promoted from Triple-A Sacramento to take his place.
    Jerry McDonald, Mercury News, 19 Apr. 2025
  • In addition to helping with puffiness and sore muscles, it can also be used to relieve headaches, as the cold promotes blood circulation to the face and neck.
    Iman Balagam, Vogue, 18 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • These tales were layered, open to interpretation, and meant to provoke reflection and herein lies their enduring power.
    Sonya Rehman, Forbes.com, 26 Apr. 2025
  • Trump’s comments have provoked a strong reaction, including boycotts on U.S. goods and protests.
    Zac Anderson, USA Today, 26 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Instead of immediately attempting to call off his rabid supporters, Trump sat on his hands as his supporters stormed the Capitol—even as members of his own party urged him to help.
    Ali Breland, The Atlantic, 14 Apr. 2025
  • Cal Newport, in his book Slow Productivity, challenges the pervasive culture of busyness, urging us to reject constant multitasking and return to work that is meaningful and rooted in quality.
    Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Of the traits the Bills are likely looking for, those are the more difficult to cultivate at the NFL level.
    Joe Buscaglia, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2025
  • Keep coming back to your long-term vision, and cultivate this mindset among all employees, regardless of their role.
    Alexandre Bonvin, Forbes.com, 24 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The importance of daylight The infrared light found in daylight can modulate inflammation, stimulate collagen production, prevent neurodegeneration, and even optimize mitochondria, which produce energy inside our cells.
    Ana Morales, Vogue, 18 Apr. 2025
  • Greece started its golden visa program in 2013 to stabilize housing prices and stimulate growth in a country facing a recession, skyrocketing unemployment, and austerity measures imposed by international lenders.
    Meehika Barua, HubSpot, 18 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • While Google has been gradually nudging employees back to the office, this latest move amounts to a crack down on workers dodging the hybrid-schedule mandates.
    Shannon Carroll, Quartz, 24 Apr. 2025
  • Even in the immediate build-up to the goal, Salah, inside the six-yard box, nudged Van Dijk’s header onto the post and Diogo Jota hit the crossbar.
    Oliver Kay, New York Times, 21 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • She was sent to a shelter in Winston-Salem, N.C., which was in desperate need of people to foster the dogs coming from Asheville.
    Brittney Melton, NPR, 27 Apr. 2025
  • The initiative aims to foster climate resilience and sustainable development.
    GrrlScientist, Forbes.com, 27 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Encourage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/encourage. Accessed 1 May. 2025.

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