1
as in inspires
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 promotes
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 provokes
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 urges
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 encourages
The sleek black straps instantly make the Birkenstock Arizona Softbed Birk-flo Sandals feel a little more sleek, while the roomy design encourages a more natural stride during long sightseeing days.
—
Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 22 May 2026
The final order encourages the Treasury to consider providing retrospective 280E relief for prior tax years in which companies operated under state medical licenses.
—Javier Hasse, Forbes.com, 22 May 2026
This reminds us that faith and trust in God are what truly matter, and encourages us to strengthen our relationship with Him through our actions and devotion.
—Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 May 2026
The hairstylist also hopes the response encourages broader conversations about accessibility and inclusion inside beauty spaces.
—Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 22 May 2026
Rising Chinese surpluses then fuel protectionist pressure abroad, and the subsequent pushback encourages Beijing to take further steps to increase its self-sufficiency.
—Neil Shearing, Time, 20 May 2026
Using too much fertilizer that is high in nitrogen encourages rapid tender growth.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 20 May 2026
For more details on the upcoming store openings, Trader Joe's encourages shoppers to regularly check its website for updates.
—Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 15 May 2026
Meitner encourages them to keep saving, ask for a raise or take on a side hustle.
—Jennifer Ludden, NPR, 15 May 2026
Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 22 May 2026
The final order encourages the Treasury to consider providing retrospective 280E relief for prior tax years in which companies operated under state medical licenses.
—Javier Hasse, Forbes.com, 22 May 2026
This reminds us that faith and trust in God are what truly matter, and encourages us to strengthen our relationship with Him through our actions and devotion.
—Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 May 2026
The hairstylist also hopes the response encourages broader conversations about accessibility and inclusion inside beauty spaces.
—Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 22 May 2026
Rising Chinese surpluses then fuel protectionist pressure abroad, and the subsequent pushback encourages Beijing to take further steps to increase its self-sufficiency.
—Neil Shearing, Time, 20 May 2026
Using too much fertilizer that is high in nitrogen encourages rapid tender growth.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 20 May 2026
For more details on the upcoming store openings, Trader Joe's encourages shoppers to regularly check its website for updates.
—Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 15 May 2026
Meitner encourages them to keep saving, ask for a raise or take on a side hustle.
—Jennifer Ludden, NPR, 15 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for encourages
Verb
-
SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe.—
Joseph Howlett,
Scientific American,
19 May 2026
-
The Taurus new moon inspires thinking about cycles of life, death, and rebirth.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
16 May 2026
Verb
-
Bryan's Farm Tour helps support family farms across the country and promotes a festival-like atmosphere at those venues.—
Patrick Damp,
CBS News,
16 May 2026
-
Winners of the Golden Apple Awards go on to help train and mentor the next generation of teachers, Mather said, which promotes a valuable sense of community.—
Evy Lewis,
Chicago Tribune,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
But the question of what is true or not is futile, even if Calle deliberately provokes this curiosity.—
Elisa Wouk Almino
Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
2 Apr. 2026
-
The flurry of imagery provokes a surreal sort of whiplash.—
Kyle Chayka,
New Yorker,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Imagine that, without any apparent reason to do so, the AI urges users to do a smackdown.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2026
-
The report urges Sacramento to follow San Francisco and Berkeley in restricting non-moving violation enforcement.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
18 May 2026
Verb
-
Today, Fingerboard cultivates hemp, a type of cannabis that, unlike marijuana, is nonintoxicating and widely considered a wellness product.—
William Deffaa,
Baltimore Sun,
14 May 2026
-
Certain experiences, products, atmospheres, audiences, or values appeal to different customers, and each business cultivates a unique environment through its operations.—
Daniel Fusch,
USA Today,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
By delivering low-frequency electrical pulses, the implant stimulates those receptors and influences how the body responds to rising blood pressure.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
15 May 2026
-
The caffeine in coffee stimulates the bowels.—
Ashley Olivine,
Verywell Health,
11 May 2026
Verb
-
The hormone, in turn, nudges the brain back toward waking once the night’s repair work is done.—
Allison Palmer,
Kansas City Star,
6 May 2026
-
Once repair is complete, growth hormone activates a brainstem region called the locus coeruleus, which gently nudges you toward waking.—
Allison Palmer,
Miami Herald,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Success will be recruiting top-quality staff and counsel, and building an office culture that is ethical and fosters pride in work.—
Eleanor Dearman,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 May 2026
-
Anything that fosters a thick, lush lawn can be considered a preventive measure against weeds.—
David Beaulieu,
The Spruce,
11 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Encourages.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/encourages. Accessed 24 May. 2026.
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