1
as in promising
having qualities which inspire hope
encouraging signs that the economy is improving
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in comforting
making one feel good inside
the encouraging story of a young girl who overcame great social and physical obstacles to become an outstanding athlete
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3
as in favorable
pointing toward a happy outcome
we're off to an encouraging start on this project
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in inspiring
to fill with courage or strength of purpose
a pep talk that encouraged the team to get out there and win
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2
as in promoting
to help the growth or development of
asserted that the government should be encouraging small businesses, not smothering them with regulations
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3
as in provoking
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
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4
as in urging
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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of encouraging
Connie Ogle, Miami Herald, 24 Feb. 2025
The most encouraging reason to think USC can keep this up?
—Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 24 Feb. 2025
Daniel Markind, Forbes, 24 Dec. 2024
That same week before Christmas, politically inclined businessman Willie Wilson was at Cook County Jail with a bunch of pastors, encouraging the incarcerated to find a new path, make better choices and never return once they are released.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 24 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for encouraging
Adjective
Ramos says the city has been encouraging for his business and others.
—Connie Ogle, Miami Herald, 24 Feb. 2025
The most encouraging reason to think USC can keep this up?
—Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 24 Feb. 2025
Verb
That results in Canada trying to cut interest rates to stimulate the economy while America has not needed to, encouraging investment in American bonds.
—Daniel Markind, Forbes, 24 Dec. 2024
That same week before Christmas, politically inclined businessman Willie Wilson was at Cook County Jail with a bunch of pastors, encouraging the incarcerated to find a new path, make better choices and never return once they are released.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 24 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for encouraging
Recent Examples of Synonyms for encouraging
Adjective
-
His promising early baseball career took a back seat in 1943 when he was taken into the Navy and served as a radio operator on the USS Coral Sea during World War II.—
Daniel Brown,
The Athletic,
9 Mar. 2025
-
The fourth-round draft pick had a promising rookie season in 2024, even after sustaining a scary neck injury in late November.—
Alex Zietlow and,
Charlotte Observer,
9 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
This spike is partly fueled by favorable exchange rates, although the popularity of country may be pushing overall spring break prices higher, with the average insured trip to Japan now costing nearly $10,000.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
26 Feb. 2025
-
Cut to Trachtenberg’s Jenny in a luxurious spa bubble bath, making the most of a preposterously favorable exchange rate.—
Stephanie Zacharek,
TIME,
26 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
And the art of delegation requires inspiring direction, enabling resources, empowering authority, and credible accountability.—
George Bradt,
Forbes,
30 Dec. 2024
-
Princess Diana’s style is still inspiring generations.—
Alyssa Grabinski,
People.com,
30 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
Meanwhile Russia is promoting drone awareness in children in other ways, down to children’s cartoons in which characters use their videogame skills to pilot drones delivering toys.—
David Hambling,
Forbes,
8 Jan. 2025
-
The simple and accessible name is helping the brand and its followers create a one-of-a-kind community on all social media platforms, empowering innovative voices to join together in promoting hair health online.—
Kaitlyn Gomez,
USA TODAY,
8 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
This will deepen the divide between the global North and South on issues of race and cultural difference, straining the West’s diplomatic relations with countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America while provoking broader resentment toward Western countries seen as perpetuating racial hierarchies.—
Matias Spektor,
Foreign Affairs,
7 Jan. 2025
-
In 2008, the United States suggested that Georgia and Ukraine might eventually join the alliance but offered no concrete path to membership, thus provoking Russia without effectively deterring it.—
Michael Beckley,
Foreign Affairs,
7 Jan. 2025
Verb
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AccuWeather experts are urging travelers to avoid unnecessary travel and to prepare for significant disruptions this weekend.—
Amanda Castro,
Newsweek,
3 Jan. 2025
-
Federal officials had issued a warning to local law enforcement agencies some two weeks before the attack urging them to be vigilant about similar incidents.—
Jakob Rodgers,
The Mercury News,
3 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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The flavor profile is sweet and bright and makes a great potluck side that will have everyone scooping out a big serving.—
Erin Hooker,
Better Homes & Gardens,
10 Mar. 2025
-
That’s exactly what happens, but our eyes (which are not blessed with high dynamic range) see a bright side of the moon and an almost black side as Earth’s shadow travels across it.—
Jamie Carter,
Forbes,
10 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Balancing Innovation With Care Standards Driving innovation in healthcare is a complex but rewarding endeavor.—
Jacob Kupietzky,
Forbes,
28 Feb. 2025
-
Very little in Korean society seems to give young people the impression that child rearing might be rewarding or delightful.—
Gideon Lewis-Kraus,
The New Yorker,
24 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Encouraging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/encouraging. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.
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