encourage

[en-kur-ij, -kuhr-]

verb (used with object)

encouraged, encouraging 

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

Other Word Forms

• encourager noun
• encouragingly adverb
• overencourage verb (used with object)
• preencourage verb (used with object)
• reencourage verb (used with object)
• unencouraged adjective
• unencouraging adjective
• well-encouraged adjective
• encouragement noun
• encouraging 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

But on the credit front Morgan Stanley’s Lindsay Tyler was less encouraged in a note last week that focused on Oracle’s debt.

Read more on MarketWatch

Sudanese authorities have encouraged Moscow’s ambitions, but, until now, remained coy about finalizing such a pact.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Leo is seeking to make these communities feel less isolated and to encourage them to remain in their ancestral lands.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The label said it had "a duty to speak up" and "encourage public discourse", because AI is proliferating at an "alarming rate and substantially outpacing regulation".

Read more on BBC

After WWI, everyone, including women, wanted to fly and Hollywood encouraged it.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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