encourage
verb (used with object)
to inspire with courage, spirit, or confidence.
have encouraged
-
present perfectof encourage.present perfect
Used to describe actions that started in the past and continue into or have direct relevance to the present.
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.
Rapid improvements in artificial intelligence, what’s more, have encouraged companies to see if they can replace some jobs with machine learning or automation.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 29, 2026
Andy Burnham's dad Roy, 86, died after a battle with Alzheimer's, and is said to have encouraged Burnham's interest in politics, according to the paper.
From BBC ● Sep. 14, 2026
"Recent recommendations have encouraged people to eat more protein, but they've also encouraged people to exercise more," Lamming says.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 2, 2026
Geopolitical shifts have encouraged Western data-center operators to diversify away from Middle East to Southeast Asia, he notes. 2H’s utilities demand could remain strong, driven by continued ramp-up in data-center deployments, he says.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 6, 2026
Perhaps literally, as I had no idea how Devi might have encouraged me to pay my debt.
From "The Name of the Wind" by Patrick Rothfuss
