ENCOURAGE Synonyms: 201 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'encourage' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of encourage are embolden , hearten , and inspirit . While all these words mean "to fill with courage or strength of purpose," encourage suggests the raising of one's confidence especially by an external agency. // the teacher's praise encouraged the students to greater efforts

Q: When might 'embolden' be a better fit than 'encourage'?

While the synonyms embolden and encourage are close in meaning, embolden implies the giving of courage sufficient to overcome timidity or reluctance. // emboldened by her first success, she tried an even more difficult climb

Q: When is 'hearten' a more appropriate choice than 'encourage'?

The words hearten and encourage can be used in similar contexts, but hearten implies the lifting of dispiritedness or despondency by an infusion of fresh courage or zeal. // a hospital patient heartened by good news

Q: Where would 'inspirit' be a reasonable alternative to 'encourage'?

The meanings of inspirit and encourage largely overlap; however, inspirit , somewhat literary, implies instilling life, energy, courage, or vigor into something. // patriots inspirited the people to resist

encourage

verb

in-ˈkər-ij

Definition of encourage next

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

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb encourage differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of encourage are embolden, hearten, and inspirit. While all these words mean "to fill with courage or strength of purpose," encourage suggests the raising of one's confidence especially by an external agency.

the teacher's praise encouraged the students to greater efforts

When might embolden be a better fit than encourage?

While the synonyms embolden and encourage are close in meaning, embolden implies the giving of courage sufficient to overcome timidity or reluctance.

emboldened by her first success, she tried an even more difficult climb

When is hearten a more appropriate choice than encourage?

The words hearten and encourage can be used in similar contexts, but hearten implies the lifting of dispiritedness or despondency by an infusion of fresh courage or zeal.

a hospital patient heartened by good news

Where would inspirit be a reasonable alternative to encourage?

The meanings of inspirit and encourage largely overlap; however, inspirit, somewhat literary, implies instilling life, energy, courage, or vigor into something.

patriots inspirited the people to resist

Examples of encourage in a Sentence

These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Recent Examples on the Web After the game, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told reporters that Ohtani suffered a subluxation of his left shoulder but that the team felt encouraged by his strength and range of motion. —

Ryan Gajewski, The Hollywood Reporter, 26 Oct. 2024 Pinching and Pruning Your Christmas Cactus A quick pruning in the summer months can encourage more flowers come winter. —

Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 26 Oct. 2024 We are most encouraged by the bank’s progress on risk controls and regulatory oversight. —

Jeff Marks, CNBC, 25 Oct. 2024 Entertain the thought of exploring a venue or engaging in an activity that encourages you to learn something new and congregate with like-minded people. —

Eugenia Last, The Mercury News, 25 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for encourage

Recent Examples of Synonyms for encourage

Verb

The collection scents include: • Green Bean Casserole – A rich, savory scent inspired by the classic casserole dish that Campbell’s debuted in 1955.

Cheryl V. Jackson, The Courier-Journal, 29 Oct. 2024
Estrid Ericson’s vision was to create a unique aesthetic that would blend classic Scandinavian simplicity with bold, colorful patterns inspired by global traditions.

Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, 29 Oct. 2024