encouragement
Americannoun
-
the act of encouraging.
-
the state of being encouraged.
-
something that encourages.
Praise is the greatest encouragement.
- Synonyms:
- endorsement, lift, boost, support, praise
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of encouragement
Explanation
When you help someone by offering positive words of support and approval, that's encouragement. It must have been the words of encouragement you gave in the airport lounge that helped your friend board the plane. Within the word encouragement we see the word "courage," which means the ability to face danger and deal with it. To encourage, then, is to help develop that ability in someone, while the "ment" at the end makes that development into a noun, the act of giving courage or support to another. You needed a little encouragement to try horse riding again, after your injuries healed.
Vocabulary lists containing encouragement
Catching Fire
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"Refugees Find New Lives"
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Taste of Salt
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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.
The strategy was meant to encourage players to take a larger leadership role.
From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 25, 2025
These could facilitate the collection of player data and encourage players to integrate their social media accounts or allow data sharing with third parties.
From Science Daily • Oct. 27, 2023
Rangers interim manager Tony Beasley said he’ll encourage players to rest up upon their return rather than report at usual times Tuesday.
From Seattle Times • Sep. 11, 2022
The league and teams also offer incentives to encourage players to stay in the United States, such as marketing deals and bonuses.
From New York Times • Jul. 10, 2022
Premier League chief executive Richard Masters has written to all member clubs external-link asking them to "strongly encourage" players to get vaccinated.
From BBC • Dec. 17, 2021
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
