encouragement

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

noun

1. the act of encouraging.

2. the state of being encouraged.

3. something that encourages.

   Praise is the greatest encouragement.

   Synonyms: endorsement, lift, boost, support, praise

Other Word Forms

• preencouragement noun
• reencouragement noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of encouragement¹

First recorded in 1560–70; encourage + -ment

Example Sentences

The test result may not be precise, but the encouragement to resist decline is powerful.

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With her daughter's encouragement, she took the decision to write about her experience.

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Liverpool have a team with quality, but no shape, with Wirtz still trying to fit in, offering encouragement to any opponents with ambition.

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Prof Parr says the project has found that use of therapeutic lamps, alongside new outdoor routines and "programmatic encouragement" to notice natural light, really does make a difference for people with Sad.

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They will take great encouragement from their win over Leeds last time out, and they could do Wolves a lot of damage if they beat them.

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Related Words

• assistance 
• backing 
• cheer 
• comfort 
• confidence 
• consolation 
• faith 
• fortitude 
• incentive 
• inspiration 
• optimism 
• reassurance 
• relief 
• reward 
• stimulation 
• stimulus