to encourage

Examples

• All

• And for me, I encourage people to try a new product.

• I would encourage you to do the things you want to do.

  Now Is Good (2012)

• It's a wonderful program, which I encourage you to look at.

• And so I would like to encourage you to keep trying to quit.

  Dr. Phil

• Again, I highly encourage you all to go learn Excel.

• The social functions of music can be a powerful way to encourage lifelong music participation.

  Academic text (2011)

• The Ministry and the insurance companies strongly encouraged GPs to adopt and use the system.

  Academic text (2011)

• Promote a culture of consulting with, listening to, and encouraging the participation of disabled children.

  Academic text (2011)

• Throughout all phases of family intervention, treatment providers encourage and advocate for the education of homeless children.

  Academic text (2011)

• I encourage my students to express their ideas freely in class.

Synonyms

I

to inspire

vsto encourage

980 3.2

Cause someone to feel excited and ready to act

is steadier support and hope aimed at action or continuation rather than inspiration

P

to push

vsto encourage

611 1.1

To urge someone to do something or try harder

gives supportive confidence or hope without the same insistence

U

to urge

vsto encourage

514 3.2

To strongly encourage someone to do something

is less forceful, offering support and hope rather than pressing strongly

P

to prompt

vsto encourage

255 3.6

Make someone do or say something

is broader, offering ongoing support and confidence rather than just a trigger

M

to motivate

vsto encourage

196 3.5

Make someone want to do something

offers emotional or moral support rather than specific incentives

B

to bolster

vsto encourage

81 4.3

To give extra support to a person, plan, or idea

offers general support, confidence, or hope rather than structural strengthening

E

to embolden

vsto encourage

33 6.3

To give someone courage to do something

provides wider support and hope, not only courage

P

to propel

vsto encourage

31 4.7

To make someone want to do something

focuses more on support and confidence than on strong incentives

L

to lift up

vsto encourage

22 3.7

To make someone feel happier and more hopeful

offers practical support and confidence rather than only raising spirits

U

to urge on

vsto encourage

17 3.4

To encourage someone to go faster or try harder

gives steady support and confidence rather than active cheering on

E

to exhort

vsto encourage

• Formal

16 7.7

To strongly encourage someone to do something

uses milder support aimed at building confidence rather than intense urging

E

to enthuse

vsto encourage

4 5.5

To make someone feel excited about something

provides encouragement through support and confidence rather than mere excitement

B

to bolster confidence

vsto encourage

2 4.0

To make someone feel more sure of themselves

gives broader support or hope beyond only boosting confidence

G

to give a prod

vsto encourage

1 3.9

Encourage someone gently to start doing something

focuses on ongoing support and hope rather than a single gentle push

Antonyms

D

to discourage

152 3.5

To try to stop something by making people less willing to do it

How Encouraging

to galvanize

33 6.7

to inspire

980 3.2

to motivate

196 3.5

to encourage

877 2.3

to support

∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

Morphology

Etymology