encourage

[ en-kur-ij, -kuhr- ]

verb (used with object)

encouraged, encouraging.

1. to inspire with courage, spirit, or confidence:

   His coach encouraged him throughout the marathon race to keep on running.

   Synonyms: reassure, hearten, embolden

   Antonyms: dishearten, discourage

2. to stimulate by assistance, approval, etc.:

   One of the chief duties of a teacher is to encourage students.

   Synonyms: help, aid, support, urge

3. to promote, advance, or foster:

   Poverty often encourages crime.

encourage

/ ɪnˈkʌrɪdʒ /

verb

1. to inspire (someone) with the courage or confidence (to do something)
2. to stimulate (something or someone to do something) by approval or help; support

Derived Forms

• enˈcouragingly, adverb
• enˈcouragement, noun
• enˈcouraging, adjective
• enˈcourager, noun

Other Word Forms

• en·courag·er noun
• en·courag·ing·ly adverb
• over·en·courage verb (used with object) overencouraged overencouraging
• preen·courage verb (used with object) preencouraged preencouraging
• reen·courage verb (used with object) reencouraged reencouraging
• unen·couraged adjective
• unen·courag·ing adjective
• well-en·couraged adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of encourage¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English encoragen, from Anglo-French, Middle French encorag(i)er; en- ¹( def ), courage ( def )

Example Sentences

And this season, it’s been one of the areas Redick has encouraged him to grow.

From Los Angeles Times

Guests are encouraged to come in costume, and Universal’s rides will be operational throughout the evening.

From Los Angeles Times

At the time, protesters claimed they were peacefully trying to encourage the university to financially divest from companies linked to Israel.

From BBC

“President Trump promised mass deportations and by removing the monetary incentive for illegal aliens to come and stay, we will encourage them to self-deport,” the spokeswoman, Elizabeth Huston, told me by email.

From Los Angeles Times

She promised on the campaign trail to “make life better for everybody” in Oakland, while vowing to fight crime and encourage the estimated 5,400 homeless people in Oakland into shelter and housing.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• advocate
• aid
• assist
• bolster
• boost
• develop
• ease
• favor
• further
• improve
• invite
• promote
• reassure
• reinforce
• spur
• strengthen
• subsidize
• support