Thesaurus
encourage
verb
Synonyms and Antonyms of ENCOURAGE
1
to fill with courage or strength of purpose <a pep talk that encouraged the team to get out there and win>
Synonyms bear up, buck up, buoy (up), cheer (up), chirk (up), embolden, hearten, inspire, inspirit, steel
Related Words animate, enliven, invigorate; enforce, fortify, reinforce (also reenforce), strengthen; assure, reassure; boost, energize, excite, galvanize, provoke, quicken, rally, stimulate, stir
Near Antonyms demoralize, depress, sadden; debilitate, enfeeble, hamstring, undermine, weaken; intimidate, psych (out)
2
to help the growth or development of <asserted that the government should be encouraging small businesses, not smothering them with regulations>
Synonyms advance, cultivate, encourage, forward, further, incubate, nourish, nurse, nurture, promote
Related Words advocate, back, champion, endorse (also indorse), support, uphold; endow, finance, fund, patronize, stake, subsidize, underwrite; abet, aid, assist; advertise, boost, plug, publicize, tout; agitate (for), campaign (for), work (for)
Near Antonyms ban, bar, enjoin, forbid, interdict, outlaw, prevent, prohibit, proscribe; battle, combat, contend (with), counter, fight, oppose; repress, snuff (out), squash, squelch, stifle, subdue, suppress; arrest, check, halt, retard; encumber, fetter, hobble, impede, interfere (with), manacle, obstruct, shackle
3
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 arouse, encourage, excite, fire (up), impassion, incite, instigate, move, pique, rev (up), spark, stimulate, stir
Related Words fan, ignite, inflame (also enflame), kindle, trigger; activate, animate, drive, energize, galvanize, induce, inspire, key (up), motivate, motive, pump up, quicken, set off, vitalize; abet, ferment, foment, raise, whip (up); anger, enrage, madden, upset; jeer, taunt, tease; aggravate, annoy, bother, exasperate, gall, get, irritate, vex
4
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>
Seen & Heard
What made you want to look up encourage? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).