encourage
verb (used with object)
to inspire with courage, spirit, or confidence.
has been encouraging
-
present perfect progressiveof encourage (3rd person singular).present perfect progressive
Used to describe an action that began in the past, has continued continuously, and is still in progress.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The aunt, who asked not to be identified, said her sister has been encouraging the girl "to just ask questions and just answering them as they come up."
From Barron's ● Oct. 17, 2026
Smith’s recent recovery progress, since shutting down baseball activities and receiving an injection to address the discomfort and inflammation, has been encouraging enough for the team to feel confident in his return.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 27, 2026
Earnings commentary within the industry has been encouraging.
From MarketWatch ● Feb. 14, 2026
Despite recent market volatility, demand for new listings in Asia has been encouraging since the start of the year, with investors showing stronger interest in recession-resistant sectors such as healthcare and consumer goods.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 6, 2026
“I know Chicho has been encouraging you. But artists are always poor. You don’t want to be poor, do you?”
From "Lucky Broken Girl" by Ruth Behar
