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 evening was more about the vibe; Gelman encourages all guests to dress up in fancy cocktail attire.
—
Rachel Syme, New Yorker, 13 Feb. 2026
Perhaps that’s because, unlike other reality dating TV shows like The Bachelor and Love Island, the series encourages frank conversations about politics and social issues that mirror dating in the modern age.
—Savannah Walsh, Vanity Fair, 12 Feb. 2026
But that doesn’t mean Thiegs encourages his clients just to bankroll their kids for the foreseeable future.
—Sydney Lake, Fortune, 11 Feb. 2026
Le — who founded the coffee shop in memory of his late girlfriend, Reinne Lim, in 2025 — welcomes it, even encourages it.
—Maddie Connors, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2026
The coach doesn’t believe that players can truly develop without being surrounded by a holistic system that encourages their growth.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 11 Feb. 2026
Kepner is passionate about accountability and service journalism and encourages anyone to reach out to her to tell their story or share a tip.
—Lily Kepner, Austin American Statesman, 11 Feb. 2026
Like the 1987 Kurt Vonnegut novel from which the restaurant took its name, Bluebeard encourages guests to drop their guard, surround themselves with other people and try something that frightens them a little.
—Usa Today Network, USA Today, 11 Feb. 2026
The center encourages people to have some form of active income while taking classes to build their own business and prove its sustainability.
—Dallas Morning News, 11 Feb. 2026
Rachel Syme, New Yorker, 13 Feb. 2026
Perhaps that’s because, unlike other reality dating TV shows like The Bachelor and Love Island, the series encourages frank conversations about politics and social issues that mirror dating in the modern age.
—Savannah Walsh, Vanity Fair, 12 Feb. 2026
But that doesn’t mean Thiegs encourages his clients just to bankroll their kids for the foreseeable future.
—Sydney Lake, Fortune, 11 Feb. 2026
Le — who founded the coffee shop in memory of his late girlfriend, Reinne Lim, in 2025 — welcomes it, even encourages it.
—Maddie Connors, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2026
The coach doesn’t believe that players can truly develop without being surrounded by a holistic system that encourages their growth.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 11 Feb. 2026
Kepner is passionate about accountability and service journalism and encourages anyone to reach out to her to tell their story or share a tip.
—Lily Kepner, Austin American Statesman, 11 Feb. 2026
Like the 1987 Kurt Vonnegut novel from which the restaurant took its name, Bluebeard encourages guests to drop their guard, surround themselves with other people and try something that frightens them a little.
—Usa Today Network, USA Today, 11 Feb. 2026
The center encourages people to have some form of active income while taking classes to build their own business and prove its sustainability.
—Dallas Morning News, 11 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for encourages
Verb
-
There’s a lot of fear of China in Japan, economically and militarily, and, even though people understand there’s interdependence between the two countries, Takaichi is seen as being willing to stand up to China, which inspires a kind of nationalism.—
Isaac Chotiner,
New Yorker,
10 Feb. 2026
-
SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe.—
Claire Cameron,
Scientific American,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
My commitment has always been to administering justice in a manner that promotes accountability, respects victims, supports the integrity of our legal institutions, and reinforces public confidence that the courts are a stabilizing force — regardless of political climate or external pressure.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Feb. 2026
-
The Islamic Republic of Iran’s atrocities against demonstrators opposed to the regime has reportedly resulted in security forces killing at least 19 Iranian Christians, according to Article 18, an organization that promotes religious freedom in Iran.—
Benjamin Weinthal,
FOXNews.com,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The aroma of coffee brewing reliably provokes desire.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Deadline can reveal the first trailer for the radical love story revolving around Suzanne and undocumented migrant Osmane, whose relationship provokes a wave of anger and indignation all around them, forcing them to resist.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Oz urges vaccinations amid measles outbreaks Health officials in Washington are warning people who attended the March For Life last month that they may have been exposed to measles, a highly contagious but easily preventable illness.—
Phaedra Trethan,
USA Today,
9 Feb. 2026
-
The letter urges Nurrenbern to continue to oppose Hall’s nomination.—
Ben Wheeler,
Kansas City Star,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The brand cultivates a fun, rebellious, and inclusive culture.—
Susan Stapleton,
Des Moines Register,
9 Feb. 2026
-
That cultivates community on campus, Dassinger added.—
Tribune News Service,
Baltimore Sun,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
As the emotional Moon stimulates expansive Jupiter, we’ll probably be drawn to a variety of possibilities.—
Tarot.com,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Feb. 2026
-
The viral beauty gadget stimulates collagen, boosts circulation, and leaves you with plump, youthful results.—
Kyra Surgent,
InStyle,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Each change nudges users toward subscriptions.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Feb. 2026
-
The stratospheric warming has weakened the high-altitude vortex slightly, which nudges the polar jet stream and allows some Arctic air to escape.—
Brandi D. Addison,
Freep.com,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Widows and Widowers group holds events The Catholic Widows and Widowers of North County, a group that fosters friendships through various social activities, will hold these upcoming events.—
Linda Mcintosh,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
5 Feb. 2026
-
The women there spoke to the princess about how the skill fosters a sense of community bonding and belonging, a palace source says.—
Simon Perry,
PEOPLE,
4 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Encourages.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/encourages. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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