encouragement

[ en-kur-ij-muhnt, -kuhr- ]

/ ɛnˈkɜr ɪdʒ mənt, -ˈkʌr- /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR encouragement ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

the act of encouraging.

the state of being encouraged.

something that encourages: Praise is the greatest encouragement.

Nearby words

Origin of encouragement

First recorded in 1560–70; encourage + -ment

SYNONYMS FOR encouragement

3. praise, support, boost, lift, endorsement.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR encouragement ON THESAURUS.COM

Related formspre·en·cour·age·ment, nounre·en·cour·age·ment, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for encouragement

Condon can take some encouragement that the Times favorably reviewed an earlier Washington production of Side Show.
Can Condon's Freak Show Win Broadway?|Tim Teeman|November 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Noor joined it in 2007 with the encouragement of a man he simply calls “Mr. Khattak.”
Obama’s Deadly Informants: The Drone Spotters of Pakistan|Umar Farooq, Syed Fakhar Kakakhel|November 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST
If the crowd started to audibly sing one of his songs, he would lose track of the vocal and launch into screams of encouragement.
I'm Not Country or Pop. I'm Just Pure Garth Brooks.|David Masciotra|September 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Ultimately, all kids see a little bit of Bart in themselves—a scared but bright kid who just needs some encouragement and trust.
Growing Up with Bart Simpson|Alex Suskind|August 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST

I have been in ballparks for seventeen years and I have never received anything but kindness and encouragement from you fans.
The Stacks: The Day Lou Gehrig Delivered Baseball’s Gettysburg Address|Ray Robinson|July 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
There was no time to make reply to these cries of encouragement.
The Wild Huntress|Mayne Reid
"I wish the Notes was condensed into half the number of volumes," he proceeded, under this encouragement.
Father Brighthopes|John Townsend Trowbridge
The encouragement of thrift among the soldiers was part of the work of "Pay."
G. H. Q.|Frank Fox
As for planting, little was done by them, although every possible inducement and encouragement was given.
The West Indies and the Spanish Main [1899]|James Rodway
Dear Brethren, this chapter is full of instruction and encouragement.
Life and Labors of Elder John Kline, the Martyr Missionary|John Kline

Word Origin and History for encouragement

encouragement

1560s, from encourage + -ment, or from Middle French encoragement.

As a general rule, Providence seldom vouchsafes to mortals any more than just that degree of encouragement which suffices to keep them at a reasonably full exertion of their powers. [Hawthorne, "House of Seven Gables"]

encouragement

noun

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Nearby words

Origin of encouragement

Examples from the Web for encouragement

encouragement