Encourage — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

Encourage (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

1. to fill with courage or strength of purpose

   "a pep talk that encouraged the team to get out there and win"

   similar: bear up, buck up, buoy (up), cheer (up), chirk (up), embolden, hearten, inspire, inspirit, steel
   related: animate, enliven, invigorate, enforce, fortify, reinforce, strengthen, assure, reassure, boost, energize, excite, galvanize, provoke, quicken, rally, stimulate, stir
   opposite: daunt, discourage, dishearten, dispirit
   near: demoralize, depress, sadden, debilitate, enfeeble, hamstring, undermine, weaken, intimidate, psych (out)

2. to help the growth or development of

   "asserted that the government should be encouraging small businesses, not smothering them with regulations"

   similar: advance, cultivate, forward, foster, further, incubate, nourish, nurse, nurture, promote
   related: advocate, back, champion, endorse, support, uphold, endow, finance, fund, patronize, stake, subsidize, underwrite, abet, aid, assist, advertise, boost, plug, publicize, tout, agitate (for), campaign (for), work (for)
   opposite: discourage, frustrate, hinder, inhibit
   near: ban, bar, enjoin, forbid, interdict, outlaw, prevent, prohibit, proscribe, battle, combat, contend (with), counter, fight, oppose, repress, snuff (out), squash, squelch, stifle, subdue, suppress, arrest, check, halt, retard, encumber, fetter, hobble, impede, interfere (with), manacle, obstruct, shackle

3. 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"

   similar: arouse, excite, fire (up), impassion, incite, instigate, move, pique, provoke, rev (up), spark, stimulate, stir, build a fire under
   related: fan, ignite, inflame, kindle, trigger, activate, animate, drive, energize, galvanize, induce, inspire, key (up), motivate, motive, pump up, quicken, set off, vitalize, abet, ferment, foment, raise, whip (up), anger, enrage, madden, upset, jeer, taunt, tease, aggravate, annoy, bother, exasperate, gall, get, irritate, vex
   near: calm, soothe, subdue, tranquilize, appease, mollify, pacify, placate

4. 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"

   similar: egg (on), exhort, goad, nudge, press, prod, prompt, urge
   related: drive, propel, spur, stimulate, hurry, hustle, push, rush, adjure, beseech, implore, importune, blandish, cajole, coax, soft-soap, wheedle, high-pressure, nag, needle, pressure, foment, incite, instigate, provoke, stir (up)
   near: deter, discourage, dissuade, brake, check, constrain, curb, hold back, inhibit, restrain