How to Use encourage in a Sentence

encourage

verb
  • They encouraged us in our work.
  • We want to encourage students to read more.
  • The program is meant to encourage savings.
  • My parents encouraged me to go back to college.
  • They encouraged her to go.
  • Encourage each other with kind words.
  • He claims the new regulations will encourage people to invest.
  • Warm weather encourages plant growth.
  • He claims the new regulations will encourage investment.
  • You are encouraged to sit and lounge and read.
    — Rachel Brodsky, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2026
  • Fans are encouraged to walk in and stake out a space.
    — Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 11 June 2026
  • But at the very least, don’t encourage them to leave.
    — Bradley Tusk, New York Daily News, 31 Mar. 2026
  • And guests were encouraged to mingle among the many works of art.
    — Emilia Petrarca, The Cut, 27 Oct. 2017
  • Part of her plan is to encourage more young people to work for the brand.
    — Hikmat Mohammed, Footwear News, 7 Apr. 2025
  • Franklin said Miller then encouraged him to run.
    — Nuria Martinez-Keel, Oklahoma Voice, 31 Mar. 2026
  • Guests are not required to wear masks, but are encouraged to wear them.
    — Chevall Pryce, Houston Chronicle, 20 May 2020
  • The film encourages viewers to live for the present.
    — Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 27 Jan. 2026
  • This long list of products will encourage you to get out more and breathe in the fresh air.
    — Christopher Murray, Fox News, 1 Jan. 2025
  • This encourages new growth and overall plant health.
    — Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 Jan. 2026
  • It was being encouraged by my groomer.
    — Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 27 Sep. 2025
  • This was my way to encourage them to eat with my husband and me on weekends.
    — Asma Khan, WSJ, 25 June 2021
  • Wet food can sometimes be used as a way to encourage finicky dogs to eat or just to spoil your pooch.
    — Bestreviews, Mercury News, 14 May 2026
  • Someone close could encourage you to buy something to be part of a trend.
    — Tribune Content Agency, oregonlive, 2 Nov. 2020
  • But head track and field coach Kyle White encouraged him.
    — Zoe Bahjat, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 31 Mar. 2026
  • Would adding a bench in the hallway encourage you to put on your running shoes?
    — Lauren Mechling, Vogue, 25 Dec. 2024
  • At times, Netflix even seemed to encourage it with a wink and a nod.
    — Ryan Faughnder, Los Angeles Times, 19 Apr. 2022
  • Geroux encouraged him to re-think it.
    — Tom Roland, Billboard, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Prune in late winter to early spring to encourage new growth and blooms.
    — Sheryl Geerts, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Mar. 2023
  • Two of them had encouraged her to sit next to them, while another spoke up for her.
    — Kimmy Yam, NBC News, 29 Sep. 2023
  • Plant them in full sun and deadhead spent flowers to encourage more blooms.
    — Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 14 Feb. 2024

Some of these examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'encourage.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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