encourage

[ en-kur-ij, -kuhr- ]

verb (used with object)

, en·cour·aged, en·cour·ag·ing.

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

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

Other Words From

• 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

If we want that to change, then all of us have to encourage our legislators to make funding community policing a priority.

From The Daily Beast

It would definitely be wrong for TLC to encourage us to gawk at these men but their story is worth investigating nonetheless.

From The Daily Beast

That tends to encourage large and small holders alike to consider turning their weakened rubles into other currencies.

From The Daily Beast

In the eyes of many pro-life advocates, securing rights for pregnant women is one more way to encourage women to stay pregnant.

From The Daily Beast

Educated voters will not be allowed to share pens, as the commission said it would encourage them to bring personal pens.

From The Daily Beast

This and several other things were said by Sieur de Biancourt to encourage his people.

From Project Gutenberg

And, incidentally, to encourage retiring and diffident lady interviewers.

From Project Gutenberg

Very soon I induced my directors to adopt the view that the railway company must encourage and help the project.

From Project Gutenberg

The King of Portugal was a powerful ruler and anxious for new possessions, yet he did not encourage Magellan.

From Project Gutenberg

Let us remember that "if we suffer tamely a lawless attack upon our liberty, we encourage it, and involve others in our doom!"

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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