ENCOURAGEMENT Synonyms: 31 Similar and Opposite Words

encouragement

noun

in-ˈkər-ij-mənt

Definition of encouragement

as in incentive

something that arouses action or activity the huge rebates that the auto companies were offering were all the encouragement I needed to buy a new car

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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 encouragement For almost every negative comment, there are several more filled with kindness, encouragement, and support. — Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 30 June 2026 Thank you for the music, for the vision, for the encouragement for the friendship. — Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 29 June 2026 Moments later, a male student expressed the same desire to pursue sports journalism and received encouragement along with recommendations for podcasts and networking opportunities. — Tim Genske, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026 The parade marshals will appear at a booth where the public will be asked to write notes of encouragement to active military members. — Regina Elling, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for encouragement

Recent Examples of Synonyms for encouragement

Noun

While the threshold sparked debate, the decree offers financial incentives for parties to merge by discounting registration fees for coalitions and alliances.

— Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 10 July 2026
Administered by Proimágenes Colombia, Colombia’s CINA incentive (Audiovisual Investment Certificate) grants a transferable tax credit equal to 35% of eligible spending on audiovisual services in Colombia.

— Anna Marie de la Fuente, Variety, 10 July 2026

Definition of incentive

Noun

Whether the impetus is to satisfy a desire for seclusion or to achieve the investment benefits that development allows, these three properties, triangulated across the globe, open up new frontiers and ways of living.

— Nielsen Dinwoodie, Forbes.com, 4 July 2026
Not much separated these two teams over 90 minutes, with limited attacking impetus and much of the game being played in midfield.

— Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 4 July 2026

Definition of impetus

Noun

Teams Like Norway Are Trying Re-Create Home Conditions Of course, good nutrition isn’t the only motivation behind what Norway and other teams may be doing.

— Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 4 July 2026
For years, Governor Ron DeSantis has fought the College Board, the group that administers the AP test, over how its standardized tests portray many things, including race and gender but also the motivations of the Founding Fathers.

— Hanna Rosin, The Atlantic, 2 July 2026

Definition of motivation

Noun

The export and manufacturing-led economic resilience is expected to reinforce Beijing’s reluctance to roll out stimulus to revive tepid consumer demand.

— Anniek Bao, CNBC, 9 July 2026
In Vibe Science studies, the autonomic nervous system shifts toward parasympathetic activation as the brain entrains to the stimulus, producing lower arousal and readiness for sleep and recovery.

— Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 6 July 2026

Definition of stimulus

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encouraged

encouragement

encouragements

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“Encouragement.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/encouragement. Accessed 11 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of encouragement

noun

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