encourage
verb (used with object)
to inspire with courage, spirit, or confidence.
encouraged
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past participleof encourage.past participle
A verb form used in perfect and passive verb constructions and that can also function as a modifier.
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past tense formof encourage.past tense
Used to describe completed actions or previous habitual actions.
encourageverb (used with object)to inspire with courage, spirit, or confidence.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
In addition to strategizing with his Nxum partners over Signal, Hines encouraged lawmakers to double the bill’s compliance period from 18 months to 36 months, according to people involved in the negotiations.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 15, 2026
The memo encouraged donors to cough up another $17 million over the next two weeks.
From Slate ● Oct. 15, 2026
Her dad, who also struggled with acne, was the one who encouraged her to see a doctor and find the right products.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 13, 2026
This created a reinforcing cycle in which rising oxygen levels encouraged chemical changes that supported biological growth, which in turn helped maintain atmospheric oxygen.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 12, 2026
Santry encouraged her to talk at length about her work and the science of code breaking.
From "The Woman All Spies Fear" by Amy Butler Greenfield
