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

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

“SciELO has been good for South Africa because it helped us to encourage our journals to improve their editorial and publishing practices,” she says.

From Science Magazine

Schmidt expected that he might need to alter his sometimes complex, rangy melodies for these untrained singers, and he encouraged them all to find the right voice for their character.

From Los Angeles Times

Its goal, the company said, will be to encourage dialogue about opera across the arts and help Griffin select future artists-in-residence.

From Los Angeles Times

“I think at this moment there are so many women musicians out there, and that we have the power to encourage them all and bring awareness to empower them.”

From Los Angeles Times

“We just want to encourage other families to do the same thing and not sell out to these developers who are coming in and actually pricing us out of our own communities.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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