encourage
verb (used with object)
to inspire with courage, spirit, or confidence.
was encouraging
-
past progressiveof encourage.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
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.
Iwansyah said the agency had requested additional masks from the provincial government, and was encouraging people to buy their own.
From Barron's ● Sep. 8, 2026
The England defender got forward with regularity and it was encouraging to see him provide the cross for Sesko's late header.
From BBC ● Sep. 6, 2026
“The quarter was encouraging, but it does not materially change the long term investment debate,” the analysts write.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 13, 2026
"It was encouraging signs from Belgium," former England defender Matt Upson said on BBC One.
From BBC ● Jul. 8, 2026
But I guess the principal didn’t want to look like he was encouraging relationships between us and them.
From "Internment" by Samira Ahmed
