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
This song encourages them to get messy, play, and have fun with this staple activity of the Halloween season.
—
Elisabeth Sherman, Parents, 19 Sep. 2025
The backdrop this year is a festive workshop and the set encourages building and creative play.
—Alexander Cox, Space.com, 19 Sep. 2025
The store encourages shoppers who put together a look with Savers finds to post photos of their outfits on social media with the hashtag #thriftproud.
—Jeffrey Miller, Oc Register, 19 Sep. 2025
Wallace hopes Huston-Tillotson doesn’t carry the rank for long, and encourages other philanthropists to follow the Moodys.
—CNN Money, 19 Sep. 2025
Psilocybin encourages hair growth and discourages graying in mice.
—Rafil Kroll-Zaidi, Harpers Magazine, 19 Sep. 2025
Venus moving into Virgo encourages minor adjustments for maximum benefit.
—Usa Today, USA Today, 19 Sep. 2025
And a new book by a former La Jolla student encourages them to do more of it.
—Ashley MacKin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Sep. 2025
Taking yourself seriously and believing in yourself encourages others to do the same.
—Waylon Barnes, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
Elisabeth Sherman, Parents, 19 Sep. 2025
The backdrop this year is a festive workshop and the set encourages building and creative play.
—Alexander Cox, Space.com, 19 Sep. 2025
The store encourages shoppers who put together a look with Savers finds to post photos of their outfits on social media with the hashtag #thriftproud.
—Jeffrey Miller, Oc Register, 19 Sep. 2025
Wallace hopes Huston-Tillotson doesn’t carry the rank for long, and encourages other philanthropists to follow the Moodys.
—CNN Money, 19 Sep. 2025
Psilocybin encourages hair growth and discourages graying in mice.
—Rafil Kroll-Zaidi, Harpers Magazine, 19 Sep. 2025
Venus moving into Virgo encourages minor adjustments for maximum benefit.
—Usa Today, USA Today, 19 Sep. 2025
And a new book by a former La Jolla student encourages them to do more of it.
—Ashley MacKin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Sep. 2025
Taking yourself seriously and believing in yourself encourages others to do the same.
—Waylon Barnes, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for encourages
Verb
-
SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe.—
Jack Tamisiea,
Scientific American,
17 Sep. 2025
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With guidance and resources from the American Heart Association, each nominee builds a personalized campaign, recruits an Impact Team and inspires others to join the mission.—
Forbes.com,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
Verb
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At the same time, concerns about declining populations are fueling the pronatalist movement, which promotes higher birthrates and frames demographic decline as a threat to civilization itself.—
G Kirilloff,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
-
Chronic inflammation also promotes insulin resistance and cellular dysfunction that can lead to type 2 diabetes and fatty liver disease, a growing concern.—
Sandee LaMotte,
CNN Money,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Every action provokes a reaction.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
-
After a sleepy start to the second half at Old Trafford, the arrival of Benjamin Sesko, and the relocation of Cunha into a deeper position, provokes a fresh wave of interest.—
Jack Lang,
New York Times,
19 Aug. 2025
Verb
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This article urges users to transform ChatGPT into a powerful personal performance coach for business growth, moving beyond simple tasks.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
18 Sep. 2025
-
The department urges any potential victims to reach out to Det.—
Doc Louallen,
ABC News,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
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As market shifts and technological advancements drive internal changes, the mindset a leader cultivates long term enables the business to effectively grow and change with the times.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
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Through the inevitable challenges of constant change, the bonds an entrepreneur cultivates in the present can prompt their greatest accomplishments in the near future.—
Nia Bowers,
USA Today,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Mechanistically, exercise improves vascular function, metabolic health, and stimulates the release of endogenous anti-inflammatory mediators.—
William A. Haseltine,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
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The chemical targets a different system in the brain than standard antidepressants, triggering the release of glutamate, which stimulates the growth of new synapses between brain cells.—
Rachel Hale,
USA Today,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Loneliness is the healthy emotion that nudges us to get off the couch and go be with people.—
Dev Patnaik,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
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Starbucks, for example, nudges users toward loading funds onto a digital gift card by offering more rewards.—
Gordon G. Chang,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Bringing these groups together early fosters a holistic view of the migration's impact and ensures cross-functional buy-in.—
Devang Pandya,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
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Now a cultural shift is needed — one that fosters a sense of ownership in the economy.—
Lisa Kidd Hunt,
Fortune,
17 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Encourages.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/encourages. Accessed 22 Sep. 2025.
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