ENCOURAGE Synonyms: 201 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'encourage' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of encourage are embolden , hearten , and inspirit . While all these words mean "to fill with courage or strength of purpose," encourage suggests the raising of one's confidence especially by an external agency. // the teacher's praise encouraged the students to greater efforts

Q: When might 'embolden' be a better fit than 'encourage'?

While the synonyms embolden and encourage are close in meaning, embolden implies the giving of courage sufficient to overcome timidity or reluctance. // emboldened by her first success, she tried an even more difficult climb

Q: When is 'hearten' a more appropriate choice than 'encourage'?

The words hearten and encourage can be used in similar contexts, but hearten implies the lifting of dispiritedness or despondency by an infusion of fresh courage or zeal. // a hospital patient heartened by good news

Q: Where would 'inspirit' be a reasonable alternative to 'encourage'?

The meanings of inspirit and encourage largely overlap; however, inspirit , somewhat literary, implies instilling life, energy, courage, or vigor into something. // patriots inspirited the people to resist

encourage

verb

in-ˈkər-ij

Definition of encourage

as in to inspire

to fill with courage or strength of purpose a pep talk that encouraged the team to get out there and win

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to promote

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

as in to provoke

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

as in to urge

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

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb encourage differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of encourage are embolden, hearten, and inspirit. While all these words mean "to fill with courage or strength of purpose," encourage suggests the raising of one's confidence especially by an external agency.

the teacher's praise encouraged the students to greater efforts

When might embolden be a better fit than encourage?

While the synonyms embolden and encourage are close in meaning, embolden implies the giving of courage sufficient to overcome timidity or reluctance.

emboldened by her first success, she tried an even more difficult climb

When is hearten a more appropriate choice than encourage?

The words hearten and encourage can be used in similar contexts, but hearten implies the lifting of dispiritedness or despondency by an infusion of fresh courage or zeal.

a hospital patient heartened by good news

Where would inspirit be a reasonable alternative to encourage?

The meanings of inspirit and encourage largely overlap; however, inspirit, somewhat literary, implies instilling life, energy, courage, or vigor into something.

patriots inspirited the people to resist

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 encourage Forbes Travel Guide’s second annual Edge List encourages discovery beyond the well-trodden path. — Forbes Travel Guide, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026 Among the unusual facets of the tournament are the tiebreakers that are employed, which encourage maximizing victory margin in the group stage. — Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 12 Aug. 2026 Curtis ended her response by encouraging people not to read too much into the remarks. — Sameen Chaudhry, USA Today, 12 Aug. 2026 Understand that your parents must be deriving some satisfaction from encouraging your brother’s dependency. — Jeanne Phillips, Mercury News, 12 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for encourage

Recent Examples of Synonyms for encourage

Verb

My intent was to inspire him to think about how family events are really important.

— CNN Money, CNN Money, 13 Aug. 2026
And with The Odyssey putting Homer's world back into the pop-culture spotlight, travelers inspired to plan their own Greek adventure now have one more reason to look beyond the islands.

— Brittany Anas, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of inspire

Verb

Bringing ‘Marge’ home In 2020, Wisconsin’s National Guard and Papua New Guinea entered into a military agreement though the State Partnership Program, which promotes cooperation through military exchanges.

— Alexandra Skores, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2026
Trump most frequently mentions grass while promoting his Washington beautification efforts.

— ABC News, ABC News, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of promote

Verb

Leaders must cultivate environments that foster these paths, offering meaningful ownership, opportunities for judgment, learning, and mentorship.

— Dr. Diane Hamilton, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
Ganni’s success also fueled growing interest in Copenhagen’s fashion scene, helping pave the way for fellow Danish labels like Saks Potts, Stine Goya, Rotate, and Baum und Pferdgarten to cultivate devoted international followings.

— Kelsey Stewart, InStyle, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of cultivate

Verb

My grandparents have found that compression socks help relieve some of the discomfort and swelling that comes from prolonged restricted movement by stimulating circulation in your legs.

— Alexandra Domrongchai, Travel + Leisure, 8 Aug. 2026
Some observers expect the BOJ to raise interest rates over the coming months, but such a move could work against efforts to stimulate the economy.

— Max Zahn, ABC News, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of stimulate

Verb

Separately, advertising growth across Joyy’s social media and streaming platforms could also nudge shares higher, the analyst added.

— Liz Napolitano, CNBC, 12 Aug. 2026
Rodriguez’s exit led party leaders to nudge Crowley back into the race in a bid to consolidate centrist Democratic support and defeat the party’s left-wing faction.

— Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of nudge

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encounters

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encouraged

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“Encourage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/encourage. Accessed 13 Aug. 2026.

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