definitions

encourage

[ en-kur-ij, -kuhr- ]
/ ɛnˈkɜr ɪdʒ, -ˈkʌr- /
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SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR encourage ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object), en·cour·aged, en·cour·ag·ing.

to inspire with courage, spirit, or confidence: His coach encouraged him throughout the marathon race to keep on running.
to stimulate by assistance, approval, etc.: One of the chief duties of a teacher is to encourage students.
to promote, advance, or foster: Poverty often encourages crime.

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RELATED WORDS

advocate, benefactor, backer, leader, philanthropist, fan, sponsor, supporter, friend, well-wisher, head, angel, helper, guardian, partisan, sympathizer, guarantor, booster, front, defender

Nearby words

encopresis, encore, encounter, encounter group, encounter session, encourage, encouragement, encouraging, encrimson, encrinite, encroach

Origin of encourage

1400–50; late Middle English encoragen < Anglo-French, Middle French encorag(i)er. See en-1, courage

Related forms

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

Examples from the Web for encourager

British Dictionary definitions for encourager

encourage

/ (ɪnˈkʌrɪdʒ) /

verb (tr)

to inspire (someone) with the courage or confidence (to do something)
to stimulate (something or someone to do something) by approval or help; support

Derived Forms

encouragement, 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