1
as in inspires
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 promotes
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 provokes
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 urges
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of encourages
For holidays that are primarily observed in the United States, Tillery encourages travelers to look beyond domestic trips.
—
Essence, 24 Oct. 2025
In general, the State Department encourages all Americans who travel abroad to sign up for its free Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) before any international trip.
—Michael Cappetta, Travel + Leisure, 24 Oct. 2025
At one point, Jonah encourages Morgan to hurl eggs at a piece of art that dredges up painful memories.
—Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 24 Oct. 2025
Kirkè Overdose said that Tiziana Terenzi’s fragrant celebration of beauty — the brand encourages layering and pairing the original Kirkè with its anniversary edition counterpart for a new sensorial experience.
—Fairchild Studio, Footwear News, 23 Oct. 2025
Trimming off the old, dead stalk encourages the plant to redirect water and nutrients to new growth, allowing the orchid to develop a new flower stalk within several months.
—Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 Oct. 2025
Branching results like that inspires experimentation in character builds, which then encourages multiple playthroughs to see just how out-of-hand a situation could have gotten.
—Jason Fanelli, Rolling Stone, 23 Oct. 2025
Rather than isolating elders to a clinical setting, Assisted Living Magazine encourages environments where leisure, purpose, and community are part of everyone’s daily life.
—Kaitlyn Gomez, USA Today, 23 Oct. 2025
The director Kelly Reichardt encourages stillness.
—Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 23 Oct. 2025
Essence, 24 Oct. 2025
In general, the State Department encourages all Americans who travel abroad to sign up for its free Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) before any international trip.
—Michael Cappetta, Travel + Leisure, 24 Oct. 2025
At one point, Jonah encourages Morgan to hurl eggs at a piece of art that dredges up painful memories.
—Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 24 Oct. 2025
Kirkè Overdose said that Tiziana Terenzi’s fragrant celebration of beauty — the brand encourages layering and pairing the original Kirkè with its anniversary edition counterpart for a new sensorial experience.
—Fairchild Studio, Footwear News, 23 Oct. 2025
Trimming off the old, dead stalk encourages the plant to redirect water and nutrients to new growth, allowing the orchid to develop a new flower stalk within several months.
—Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 Oct. 2025
Branching results like that inspires experimentation in character builds, which then encourages multiple playthroughs to see just how out-of-hand a situation could have gotten.
—Jason Fanelli, Rolling Stone, 23 Oct. 2025
Rather than isolating elders to a clinical setting, Assisted Living Magazine encourages environments where leisure, purpose, and community are part of everyone’s daily life.
—Kaitlyn Gomez, USA Today, 23 Oct. 2025
The director Kelly Reichardt encourages stillness.
—Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 23 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for encourages
Verb
-
SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe.—
Meghan Bartels,
Scientific American,
23 Oct. 2025
-
Branching results like that inspires experimentation in character builds, which then encourages multiple playthroughs to see just how out-of-hand a situation could have gotten.—
Jason Fanelli,
Rolling Stone,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Progesterone promotes cell death among defective cells that could turn cancerous.—
Jocelyn Solis-Moreira,
Flow Space,
27 Oct. 2025
-
Healthy soil also promotes better nutrient absorption, allowing your lawn to better withstand disease and weeds.—
Patricia Shannon,
Southern Living,
26 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Through her restraint, Roberts provokes in us some semblance of empathy for her character – in a movie where everyone else is basically monstrous.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
10 Oct. 2025
-
Every action provokes a reaction.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Whatever happens, Goelman urges parents not to let one challenging online incident define your teen or your parenting journey.—
Wendy Wisner,
Parents,
22 Oct. 2025
-
The service urges folks to protect tender plants from the cold.—
Cheryl V. Jackson,
IndyStar,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
In her own life, Kat cultivates those conditions.—
Rowan Jacobsen,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Oct. 2025
-
By fostering an internal environment where employees are encouraged to question assumptions, share expertise, and engage in reflective thinking, The Rise Group cultivates the intellectual space needed to pursue meaningful insights.—
Wyles Daniel,
USA Today,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Regulates Appetite Magnesium stimulates the small intestine to release a hormone called cholecystokinin (CCK).—
Devineé Lingo,
Health,
22 Oct. 2025
-
This stimulates your ability to talk to others and share your feelings.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Jeanroy squats down, nudges Taïga aside, and starts digging with a cavadou—a sort of pick that resembles a very scary dental tool.—
Aislyn Greene,
AFAR Media,
15 Oct. 2025
-
His arrival stirs faint whispers under the Song statues and quietly nudges Hongmei’s buried past toward the surface.—
Patrick Brzeski,
HollywoodReporter,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Increasing patient engagement also drives more return on investment and fosters more loyalty with the health system.—
Lauren Giella,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Oct. 2025
-
Amid differing perspectives, West Cal intends to develop technology that fosters collaboration.—
Connie Etemadi,
USA Today,
14 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Encourages.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/encourages. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
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