encourage
Americanverb (used with object)
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encourages,
present (3rd person singular)
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encouraged,
past participle, past
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encouraging
present participle
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to inspire with courage, spirit, or confidence.
His coach encouraged him throughout the marathon race to keep on running.
- Antonyms:
- dishearten, discourage
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to stimulate by assistance, approval, etc..
One of the chief duties of a teacher is to encourage students.
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to promote, advance, or foster.
Poverty often encourages crime.
verb
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to inspire (someone) with the courage or confidence (to do something)
-
to stimulate (something or someone to do something) by approval or help; support
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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encouragementnoun
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encouragernoun
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overencourageverb (used with object)
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preencourageverb (used with object)
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reencourageverb (used with object)
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encouragingadjective
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unencouragedadjective
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unencouragingadjective
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well-encouragedadjective
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encouraginglyadverb
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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encouragesimple
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encouragessimple
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have encouragedperfect
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has encouragedperfect
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am encouragingprogressive
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are encouragingprogressive
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is encouragingprogressive
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have been encouragingperfect progressive
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has been encouragingperfect progressive
Past
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encouragedsimple
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had encouragedperfect
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was encouragingprogressive
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were encouragingprogressive
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had been encouragingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of encourage
First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English encoragen, from Anglo-French, Middle French encorag(i)er; see en- 1 ( def. ), courage ( def. )
Explanation
When you encourage someone, you give him or her the courage or confidence to do something, like when you encourage your little brother to play harder by yelling his name from the sidelines of the soccer field. The word encourage comes from the Old French word encoragier, meaning "make strong, hearten." When you encourage the tomato plants in your garden, you water them to promote their growth and health. Encourage can also mean to inspire with hope, like when you encourage your friends to try out for the school play by complimenting their singing and acting talents.
Vocabulary lists containing encourage
Motherlode: A Mother's Day Lexicon
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Body Language: Cor, Cord, Cardio ("Heart")
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Unit 3: Compelling Evidence
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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.
See Examples For:
If you’re sticking with the same brand, ask about “loyalty deals,” which are discounts designed to encourage car owners to stick with the same brand.
From MarketWatch ● Nov. 5, 2026
The new gel can encourage the formation of an enamel-like mineral layer over exposed dentin.
From Science Daily ● Nov. 5, 2026
Crawford hopes its new status will encourage more bars to take it on.
From BBC ● Nov. 4, 2026
We can work across party lines to encourage innovation while protecting workers and consumers.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 4, 2026
Furthermore, he should encourage his subjects to pursue their trades in tranquillity, whether in commerce, agriculture, or in any other human pursuit.
From "The Prince" by Niccolò Machiavelli
What encourages her, and she offers to readers, is poetry and other literature, which “gives us the encouragement to stay grounded.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 6, 2026
"Longstanding U.S. policy encourages every cloud to build on American infrastructure and to win business everywhere they can," the statement said.
From Barron's ● Nov. 3, 2026
Mindfulness meditation encourages people to observe their thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations without immediately judging or reacting to them.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 30, 2026
This encourages people and businesses to save more, spend less money, and make less investments.
From BBC ● Oct. 29, 2026
New information about Japanese genetics and language origins, accumulating since the book’s first publication, now encourages me to test how Japan fits into my overall framework.
From "Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies" by Jared M. Diamond
The theft outraged Johnston, who encouraged Puyi to assert control over the imperial warehouses by ordering a full inventory of their holdings.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 6, 2026
For years, people have been encouraged to choose low-fat or fat-free dairy products to protect their hearts and manage their weight.
From Science Daily ● Nov. 6, 2026
A further tribute is planned for Saturday at 18:00 GMT, with supporters encouraged to come together to honour his memory.
From BBC ● Nov. 4, 2026
I’m incredibly encouraged by the progress I’ve made in such…
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 4, 2026
Frank’s first thought was that the no-family rule was a deal-breaker, but Barbara encouraged him to grab the opportunity.
From "Fallout: Spies, Superbombs, and the Ultimate Cold War Showdown" by Steve Sheinkin
The main church shut down in 2019 and Mackenzie moved to Shakahola forest, encouraging his devotees to follow him.
From BBC ● Nov. 6, 2026
However, now "fresh policy support, lower valuations and hopes of improving sentiment are encouraging investors to revisit a sector that has struggled for much of the year", she added.
From Barron's ● Nov. 6, 2026
“Novo delivered positive growth rates in the third quarter, sending a very encouraging signal to investors regarding the trade-off between lower prices and increased volume.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 5, 2026
These findings are encouraging, particularly for infections that are difficult to control with existing medications.
From Science Daily ● Nov. 5, 2026
“Now, that is good,” said Razi, trying to sound encouraging.
From "The Boy Who Met a Whale" by Nizrana Farook
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
