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

P

to push

vsto encourage

958 1.1

To urge someone to do something or try harder

gives supportive confidence or hope without the same insistence

I

to inspire

vsto encourage

837 3.2

Cause someone to feel excited and ready to act

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

U

to urge

vsto encourage

591 3.2

To strongly encourage someone to do something

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

M

to motivate

vsto encourage

437 3.5

Make someone want to do something

offers emotional or moral support rather than specific incentives

P

to prompt

vsto encourage

217 3.6

Make someone do or say something

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

B

to bolster

vsto encourage

84 4.3

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

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

P

to propel

vsto encourage

45 4.7

To make someone want to do something

focuses more on support and confidence than on strong incentives

E

to embolden

vsto encourage

40 6.3

To give someone courage to do something

provides wider support and hope, not only courage

L

to lift up

vsto encourage

19 3.7

To make someone feel happier and more hopeful

offers practical support and confidence rather than only raising spirits

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

7 5.5

To make someone feel excited about something

provides encouragement through support and confidence rather than mere excitement

U

to urge on

vsto encourage

5 3.4

To encourage someone to go faster or try harder

gives steady support and confidence rather than active cheering on

B

to bolster confidence

vsto encourage

1 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

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

257 3.5

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

How Encouraging

to galvanize

39 6.7

to inspire

837 3.2

to motivate

437 3.5

to encourage

∞ 2.3

to support

∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

Morphology

Etymology