encouragement

noun

en·​cour·​age·​ment in-ˈkər-ij-mənt 

-ˈkə-rij-,

en-

1

: the act of encouraging : the state of being encouraged

2

: something that encourages

Synonyms

• boost
• goad
• impetus
• impulse
• incentive
• incitation
• incitement
• instigation
• momentum
• motivation
• provocation
• spur
• stimulant
• stimulus
• yeast

Examples of encouragement in a Sentence

Our aim is the encouragement of investment.

the encouragement of plant growth

teachers who give their students a lot of encouragement

With support and encouragement from their parents, the students organized a fundraiser.

They offered him gifts of money and other encouragements.

Recent Examples on the Web

With high fees, inconsistent consumer protections, and encouragement by retailers to borrow more by purchasing more, buyers need to tread carefully. —Kori Hale, Forbes, 29 Nov. 2024

In part, that included smaller, live entertainment events throughout the year and an encouragement of downtown shops to host their own activities. —Shawn Raymundo, The Arizona Republic, 28 Nov. 2024

Your love and encouragement has meant the world to me. —Lester Fabian Brathwaite, EW.com, 24 Nov. 2024

That gives me so much power and encouragement to be my best self. —H. Alan Scott, Newsweek, 20 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1549, in the meaning defined at sense 1