1
as in inspired
to fill with courage or strength of purpose
a pep talk that encouraged the team to get out there and win
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in promoted
to help the growth or development of
asserted that the government should be encouraging small businesses, not smothering them with regulations
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in provoked
to rouse to strong feeling or action
the movie's cheap special effects will not encourage audiences to sit on the edge of their seats but to roll in the aisles with laughter
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in urged
to try to persuade (someone) through earnest appeals to follow a course of action
the pastor continues to encourage the couple to work out their problems in hopes of saving their marriage
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in reassured
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
2
as in supported
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of encouraged
Vibhas Ratanjee, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2025
These reforms were strongly encouraged, if not outright demanded, by the United States.
—Nataliya Gumenyuk, Foreign Affairs, 29 Aug. 2025
Not only is zipper merging legal in some states, but also highly encouraged in them.
—Ahmed Jawadi, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2025
Verbal jabs, the more eloquent and vulgar the better, are highly encouraged.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 27 Aug. 2025
CEOs at Google, Microsoft, and Shopify have mandated or strongly encouraged using AI, especially for engineering teams.
—Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 25 Aug. 2025
In keeping with Gunna’s philanthropic vision, participants are also encouraged to make donations supporting the charitable cause of their choice.
—Okla Jones, Essence, 21 Aug. 2025
Women are encouraged to 'marry up' or at least seek a partner who matches their ambition, while men are not socialized to do the same.
—Suzanne Blake, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Aug. 2025
So, will one be strongly encouraged to get out?
—Laura Washington, Chicago Tribune, 20 Aug. 2025
Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Sep. 2025
Those who experienced the earthquake are encouraged to report it through the USGS Felt Report form.
—Ca Earthquake Bot, Sacbee.com, 8 Sep. 2025
The Jets hadn’t planned to run that play this week, Fields said, but offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand encouraged him to do it in the moment.
—Zack Rosenblatt, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
Chris Duarte, Hendersonville High School Chris has encouraged an AP-level freshman class to participate in school activities like Model UN.
—Gabrielle Chenault, Nashville Tennessean, 8 Sep. 2025
No admission charge, but IDs are a must and your own mugs are encouraged.
—Jared Kaufman, Twin Cities, 7 Sep. 2025
The Irsays have also encouraged the sport’s growth at a grassroots level, committing $1 million in November to support girls’ high school flag football in Indiana.
—Justin Birnbaum, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025
Is the patient encouraged to walk or do leg exercises?
—Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Sep. 2025
Readers should not rely solely on the content of this article and are encouraged to seek professional advice tailored to their specific circumstances.
—Jason Phillips, USA Today, 29 Aug. 2025
Verb
Her people feel encouraged but underutilized.
—Vibhas Ratanjee, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2025
These reforms were strongly encouraged, if not outright demanded, by the United States.
—Nataliya Gumenyuk, Foreign Affairs, 29 Aug. 2025
Not only is zipper merging legal in some states, but also highly encouraged in them.
—Ahmed Jawadi, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2025
Verbal jabs, the more eloquent and vulgar the better, are highly encouraged.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 27 Aug. 2025
CEOs at Google, Microsoft, and Shopify have mandated or strongly encouraged using AI, especially for engineering teams.
—Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 25 Aug. 2025
In keeping with Gunna’s philanthropic vision, participants are also encouraged to make donations supporting the charitable cause of their choice.
—Okla Jones, Essence, 21 Aug. 2025
Women are encouraged to 'marry up' or at least seek a partner who matches their ambition, while men are not socialized to do the same.
—Suzanne Blake, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Aug. 2025
So, will one be strongly encouraged to get out?
—Laura Washington, Chicago Tribune, 20 Aug. 2025
Adjective
Mixing and matching is encouraged.
—Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Sep. 2025
Those who experienced the earthquake are encouraged to report it through the USGS Felt Report form.
—Ca Earthquake Bot, Sacbee.com, 8 Sep. 2025
The Jets hadn’t planned to run that play this week, Fields said, but offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand encouraged him to do it in the moment.
—Zack Rosenblatt, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
Chris Duarte, Hendersonville High School Chris has encouraged an AP-level freshman class to participate in school activities like Model UN.
—Gabrielle Chenault, Nashville Tennessean, 8 Sep. 2025
No admission charge, but IDs are a must and your own mugs are encouraged.
—Jared Kaufman, Twin Cities, 7 Sep. 2025
The Irsays have also encouraged the sport’s growth at a grassroots level, committing $1 million in November to support girls’ high school flag football in Indiana.
—Justin Birnbaum, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025
Is the patient encouraged to walk or do leg exercises?
—Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Sep. 2025
Readers should not rely solely on the content of this article and are encouraged to seek professional advice tailored to their specific circumstances.
—Jason Phillips, USA Today, 29 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for encouraged
Verb
-
Keep scrolling to shop more puff-sleeve styles inspired by Reese Witherspoon, Kate Middleton, and more celebrities now.—
Alyssa Grabinski,
PEOPLE,
9 Sep. 2025
-
The print, which looks like it could be inspired by a fall scene on the East Coast, adds visual interest, depth, and warmth to your space.—
Stephanie Osmanski,
Better Homes & Gardens,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
That bout was promoted as his return to the ring after a 19-year retirement and was widely regarded as a fitting sendoff.—
Andrew Ravens,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Sep. 2025
-
The past few weeks have seen the departures of Heidi Gardner, Devon Walker, Michael Longfellow and Emil Wakim, plus the splitting up of Please Don’t Destroy as Ben Marshall was promoted to main cast, Martin Herlihy moved to writing staff and John Higgins left the show.—
Ellise Shafer,
Variety,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
In practice, that could mean a withdrawal of political cover for Israel's ongoing invasion of Gaza, which has provoked outrage among European and Arab nations as famine conditions spread.—
Gram Slattery,
USA Today,
11 Sep. 2025
-
The moves provoked legal challenges over First Amendment rights.—
Dan Gooding
Shane Croucher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The 26-year-old has been Arsenal’s captain since the summer of 2022, but in August, Adams urged Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta to strip the Norway international of the Arsenal captaincy and hand the role to Declan Rice.—
Art de Roché,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Chad Bauman, executive director at Milwaukee Repertory Theater, urged the committee to reject the funding allocations in the hopes of obtaining more money for the theater company.—
Claudia Levens,
jsonline.com,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Throughout her career, Manna has cultivated and managed partnerships with dozens of distribution partners.—
Brent Lang,
Variety,
5 Sep. 2025
-
The sorghum fields planted around our family farm this year are courtesy of and cultivated by the Wappel family, our neighbors just down the road.—
Philip Potempa,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
But dogs still need ways to burn off energy and stay mentally stimulated.—
Kelsey Monstrola,
USA Today,
5 Sep. 2025
-
For example, one study found that breast cancer cell growth was stimulated by low concentrations of genistein and inhibited by higher concentrations.—
Jocelyn Solis-Moreira,
Flow Space,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Creating rentals aided lower-income families and nudged rents down.—
Alex Mayyasi,
NPR,
9 Sep. 2025
-
June was restated to show a net job loss of 13,000—the first decline since 2020—while July’s gain was nudged higher, leaving overall employment 21,000 lower than previously reported.—
Eva Roytburg,
Fortune,
5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
When used effectively, philanthropic capital is patient, flexible and unafraid to take risks.—
Lynette Bell,
Forbes.com,
29 Aug. 2025
-
Stanley was impressed that Vlcek came to the varsity with confidence and unafraid to speak up after a successful summer with Sports Performance.—
Paul Johnson,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Encouraged.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/encouraged. Accessed 14 Sep. 2025.
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