encourages

verb

present tense third-person singular of encourage
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

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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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of encourages Earlier this month, at least eight states sued OpenAI, with Iowa’s lawsuit alleging that ChatGPT gives dangerous medical advice, encourages paranoia and coaches people to hurt others or kill themselves. — Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 28 Oct. 2026 The constraint of the task encourages a deeper looking, and gives us, part of a society suspicious of aimless activity, an excuse to mess around and explore a strange world. — Joseph Ogilvy, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Oct. 2026 Thatcher challenges traditional wine rules and encourages people to enjoy wine without intimidation. — Erica Olsen, CBS News, 28 Oct. 2026 The alliance’s guide prominently encourages people to vote in favor of the measure in both English and Spanish. — Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 27 Oct. 2026 Johnston sometimes encourages clients to rehearse a difficult conversation with AI before having it with their partner. — Angela Haupt, Time, 27 Oct. 2026 Bulmer encourages anyone with the university struggling with the loss to seek support. — Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 27 Oct. 2026 On October 17, M-Vave announced FM1 Open, a software package that encourages FM-1 owners to develop custom firmware for the synth-turned-whatever-else-you-can-imagine. — ArsTechnica, 26 Oct. 2026 Milliken's company encourages more poop scoopers to get into the business by offering classes and a community for budding entrepreneurs on Skool, an online education platform. — Kamaron McNair, CNBC, 21 Oct. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for encourages
  1. inspires
  2. promotes
  3. provokes
  4. urges
  5. cultivates
  6. stimulates
  7. nudges
  8. fosters
Verb
  • The memories of their cozy kitchen inspires me to spend even more time in my own kitchen.
    — Carly Totten, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Like the Lego brand, Daft Punk inspires generations through creativity, innovation, and a deep connection with fans.
    — Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of inspires
Verb
  • Massaging it into the scalp promotes growth (stimulating blood flow to the area is how the magic happens), while applying it through the lengths reduces breakage and smoothes each strand for a silky, frizz-free finish.
    — Reece Andavolgyi, InStyle, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Dietary fiber helps add bulk to stool and promotes regular bowel movements.
    — Sarah Jividen, Verywell Health, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of promotes
Verb
  • Along with their organization’s missions, the pair picked horror because of the conversations the genre provokes.
    — Isabelle Farina, Variety, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Another question, says Professor Trotti at Ithaca College, is whether a public execution portrays strength or provokes horror.
    — Patrik Jonsson, Christian Science Monitor, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of provokes
Verb
  • Bhaghani says coach Bob Chesney urges his team to focus on small details and treats everyone equally.
    — Jordan Puente, Los Angeles Times, 29 Oct. 2026
  • To keep released fish alive, Florida Sea Grant’s Return ’Em Right program urges anglers to use descending devices, which return fish quickly to depth, and offers free devices to those who complete an online course.
    — Tovar Cerulli, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of urges
Verb
  • In the sweeping farmlands near the Central Coast, a seed supplier that cultivates peppers, vegetables and fruit was hit with more than two dozen pesticide safety violations, some of them serious offenses that caused health or environmental hazards.
    — Robert J. Lopez, Los Angeles Times, 24 Sep. 2026
  • Like all classic noirs, Frank cultivates a sweaty, visceral realism to the main character’s desire to have a better life at any cost.
    — Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of cultivates
Verb
  • As the cooling metal tool depuffs swollen tissues and stimulates microcirculation, the peptide-rich cream works beneath the surface to rebuild structural volume.
    — Christa Joanna Lee, Glamour, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Stronger muscles put more tension on the bones, which stimulates greater bone cell turnover.
    — Maggie Ryan, Flow Space, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of stimulates
Verb
  • Over many rounds, training nudges the student’s internal settings, called weights, so that its answers more closely match the teacher’s.
    — Peter Hall, Scientific American, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Yannick Nézet-Séguin nudges the orchestra’s warmth and saturation into territory that, if not quite gaudy, is certainly gala-worthy, privileging vibrancy over darkness.
    — Justin Davidson, Vulture, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of nudges
Verb
  • Looking at differences using a balanced frame communicates positive intent, fosters deeper trust and builds engagement.
    — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 16 Oct. 2026
  • With the help of literature and creative writing, the nonprofit fosters a space for connection, self-expression and imagining a life beyond incarceration.
    — Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of fosters

Browse Nearby Words

encouragers
encourages
encouraging
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Cite this Entry

“Encourages.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/encourages. Accessed 30 Oct. 2026.

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