1
as in to inspire
to fill with courage or strength of purpose
a pep talk that encouraged the team to get out there and win
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to promote
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 to provoke
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 to urge
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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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
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
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Garcia inspired a steady stream of social media wisecracks by pairing the red hat and shirt for his LIV Golf team, Fireballs GC, with bright yellow pants.—
Brooks Peck,
New York Times,
11 Apr. 2025
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Whether Coen can turn the Jaguars around hinges largely on his ability to remain true to himself, provide guidance to an equally unproven coaching staff and connect with and inspire an entire roster to catch his vision.—
Mike Jones,
New York Times,
11 Apr. 2025
Verb
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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
-
Brit, still processing, clocks that Kenya was angling for a full-on meltdown, trying to provoke her into playing the aggressor.—
Shelby Stewart,
Essence,
14 Apr. 2025
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Tariffs essentially act as an indirect tax on consumers, provoke retaliatory measures, drive inflation higher, and destabilize financial markets.—
Christian Catalini,
Forbes.com,
11 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
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
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When Joel returns to what’s obviously his greatest therapy hits — woe is me, my teenage daughter hates me — Gail’s had it and urges him to say the scary thing out loud.—
Sara Netzley,
EW.com,
14 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Iran has cultivated an astonishing intellectual and artistic depth with far fewer resources than many other nations.—
Rebecca Ruth Gould,
JSTOR Daily,
9 Apr. 2025
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It must be cultivated with intention and consistency, and often, small steps are required to build it.—
Dr. Jennifer Bryant,
Forbes.com,
9 Apr. 2025
Verb
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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
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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
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This season, filmed mostly on the Thai island of Ko Samui, used the new setting to nudge its characters toward pursuits beyond the flesh.—
Hannah Giorgis,
The Atlantic,
7 Apr. 2025
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Still, word of departure spreads fast, potentially nudging more Canadians to follow suit, DuPont says.—
Sami Sparber,
Axios,
2 Apr. 2025
Verb
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In addition to fostering connections, being part of these groups lends credibility and demonstrates commitment to the industry.—
Veena Jetti,
Forbes.com,
14 Apr. 2025
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Terri Taylor, a strategy director at the Lumina Foundation, a heavyweight funder with one and a half billion dollars in assets, told me that a group of twenty organizations joined a call in December, after Trump’s reëlection, to trade notes on efforts to foster dialogue on campuses.—
Emma Green,
New Yorker,
14 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Encourage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/encourage. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.
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