ENCOURAGED Synonyms: 369 Similar and Opposite Words

encouraged 1 of 2

adjective

as in reassured

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Relevance

Dissimilar Words

as in supported

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

encouraged

2 of 2

verb

past tense of encourage

as in inspired

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in promoted

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 provoked

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 urged

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 encouraged

Adjective

When not to play tug-of-war with your dog As beneficial as playtime can be for your dog, there are a few instances where rougher activities such as tug-of-war are not encouraged. — Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026 Strike a pose in our free photobooth where looking hot enough to eat is highly encouraged. — Beatrice Verhoeven, HollywoodReporter, 25 Aug. 2026 People are also encouraged to dump and drain standing water regularly where mosquitoes breed. — Carlos E. Castañeda, CBS News, 24 Aug. 2026 While this feature never got implemented, a Phia spokesperson told Bloomberg, Kianni was in support of the cookie stuffing practices, and encouraged team members to implement shady practices. — Sarah Glodek, Fortune, 21 Aug. 2026 These pieces are made for daily use, and mixing and matching across other collections is highly encouraged. — Angela Tafoya, Architectural Digest, 21 Aug. 2026 Interjecting the bidding with inane questions or other comments about other managers’ rosters or the errant wisdom of their previous bids is highly encouraged to distract other bidders or disrupt any manager counting down in their heads. — Sports Betting, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026 The company has faced multiple lawsuits from families who allege that ChatGPT contributed to, or even encouraged, their child’s suicide. — Clare Duffy, CNN Money, 18 Aug. 2026 Team members are then encouraged to make suggestions for supporting each other. — Doreen Samelson, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026

Verb

When government applies the rules consistently, businesses have the confidence to invest, innovation is encouraged, public institutions earn greater trust and the public benefits. — Robin Rossenfeld, Denver Post, 28 Aug. 2026 Anyone with information on the collision is encouraged to contact Officer Giovanni Zaino of the Middletown Police Patrol Division at 860-638-4000, ext 6323. — Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 28 Aug. 2026 Pritzker even signed a 2019 bill that encouraged the use of tax incentives to help ensure data-center growth. — David Greising, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026 After a space in Midtown fell through at the last minute, Force Villareal encouraged her to look in Chelsea. — Derek C. Blasberg, Vanity Fair, 28 Aug. 2026 There was also minimal protectionist pressure, largely because Europe and Japan urgently needed imports and the United States actively encouraged reconstruction in both places. — Michael Pettis, Foreign Affairs, 28 Aug. 2026 They will be encouraged to wear a surgical mask before entering the unit. — Brenda Goodman, CNN Money, 28 Aug. 2026 In his late teens Turner, while also working as a DJ in clubs, was encouraged by one of his mother’s friends to try modeling. — L. Sue Baugh, Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 Aug. 2026 But that fear is also producing an increasingly dangerous critical climate in which audiences are being subtly encouraged to inspect every project for a philosophical smoking gun. — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 21 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for encouraged

Adjective

Given the recent weakness in the stock and the broader macro uncertainty, hearing from management left us feeling more reassured in our position.

— Jeff Marks,Paulina Likos, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2025

Definition of reassured

Verb

Keep scrolling to shop more denim jackets inspired by America Ferrera now.

— Alyssa Grabinski, PEOPLE, 28 Aug. 2026
The idea came from architect Hal Hayes, who was inspired bythe Great Pyramid of Giza, where a pharaoh built a row of smaller pyramids alongside it for his queens, as Hayes told the Fire Island Pines Historical Society.

— Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of inspired

Verb

In June, Howat was promoted to managing director following a recent leadership restructure.

— Tianwei Zhang, Footwear News, 24 Aug. 2026
Netanyahu is not on record as making that remark, but the slogan reflects a broader narrative promoted by Iranian hardliners, portraying women who do not wear the hijab as, at the very least, disloyal to their country.

— Tim Lister, CNN Money, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of promoted

Verb

The comment at a rally last Sunday titillated, provoked and enraged different audiences simultaneously, all but guaranteeing saturation news coverage and even more attention.

— Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 19 Aug. 2026
The incidents had provoked international scrutiny of the country’s assault on Gaza.

— Brendan Ruberry, semafor.com, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of provoked

Verb

The alert urged residents in the affected area to leave immediately and travel east on FM 2210.

— Mateo Rosiles, USA Today, 25 Aug. 2026
Anyone with information about the shooting is urged to contact Independence police at 816-325-7330 or the anonymous TIPS Hotline at 816-474-8477.

— Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of urged

Adjective

Carney was known as a diplomat who not only spoke his mind, but was unafraid to challenge prevailing assumptions.

— Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 17 Aug. 2026
Kate is also unafraid to mix traditionally masculine and feminine elements in the same outfit, pairing sparkling drop earrings with rugged boots or accenting a tweed blazer with sparkling gold hardware.

— Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of unafraid

Adjective

With $3 Miller High Lifes, birch beer on tap and Yoo-Hoo a suggested pairing, Hiram’s is a throwback to a simpler (and cheaper) time.

— Matt Cortina, USA Today, 15 Aug. 2026
Johnson said the suggested economic damages of $5 million were for items including loss of earnings, loss of marital care and loss of guidance.

— Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 29 Apr. 2026

Definition of suggested

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encourage

encouraged

encouragement

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Style

“Encouraged.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/encouraged. Accessed 29 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of encouraged

adjective

verb

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