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encourage

[en-kur-ij, -kuhr-]
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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.
  2. to stimulate by assistance, approval, etc.: One of the chief duties of a teacher is to encourage students.
  3. to promote, advance, or foster: Poverty often encourages crime.
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Origin of encourage

1400–50; late Middle English encoragen < Anglo-French, Middle French encorag(i)er. See en-1, courage
Related formsen·cour·ag·er, nounen·cour·ag·ing·ly, adverbo·ver·en·cour·age, verb (used with object), o·ver·en·cour·aged, o·ver·en·cour·ag·ing.pre·en·cour·age, verb (used with object), pre·en·cour·aged, pre·en·cour·ag·ing.re·en·cour·age, verb (used with object), re·en·cour·aged, re·en·cour·ag·ing.un·en·cour·aged, adjectiveun·en·cour·ag·ing, adjectivewell-en·cour·aged, adjective

Synonyms

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1. embolden, hearten, reassure. 2. urge; support, aid, help.

Antonyms

1. discourage, dishearten.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words

advocatebenefactorbackerleaderphilanthropistfansponsorsupporterfriendwell-wisherheadangelhelperguardianpartisansympathizerguarantorboosterfrontdefender

Examples from the Web for encourager

Historical Examples

  • They believed the Iron Duke to be the instigator and encourager of a shabby trick.

    The Shellback's Progress

    Walter Runciman

  • I was unaware that belief is an encourager and guide to reason.

  • He was an encourager of learning and the arts, and a dabbler in science.

    Old Continental Towns

    Walter M. Gallichan

  • He has been the encourager and partaker of all thy numerous vices and follies.

    The Fair Maid of Perth

    Sir Walter Scott

  • But now I look around for my stay, my monitor, my encourager, in vain.

    Jane Talbot

    Charles Brockden Brown

British Dictionary definitions for encourager

encourage

verb (tr)
  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
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Derived Formsencouragement, nounencourager, nounencouraging, adjectiveencouragingly, adverb
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for encourager

encourage

v.

early 15c., from Old French encoragier "make strong, hearten," from en- "make, put in" (see en- (1)) + corage (see courage). Related: Encouraged; encouraging.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper