encourage
encourage
Pronunciation
/ɪnˈkʌrɪdʒ/
Syllable Breakdown
en-: /ɪn/
cour-: /kʌr/
age: /ɪdʒ/
Word Form Variations
Encourage" is primarily a verb. Here are its various word forms:
Verb:
Base Form: encourage
Third-person singular present: encourages
Past simple: encouraged
Past participle: encouraged
Present participle/Gerund: encouraging
Noun: encouragement (the act or state of encouraging)
Adjective: encouraging (giving hope or confidence)
Adverb: encouragingly (in a way that gives hope or confidence)
Noun (person): encourager (one who encourages)
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Verb
To inspire with confidence, spirit, or hope; to give someone the courage to do something.
Synonyms: embolden, hearten, uplift, inspire, cheer, motivate
Antonyms: discourage, dishearten, deter, dismay, depress
To provide support, approval, or assistance to someone or something, thereby promoting its growth, development, or continuation.
Synonyms: foster, promote, nurture, aid, support, help, boost, further
Antonyms: hinder, impede, obstruct, stifle, suppress, prevent
To make something more likely to happen or develop; to stimulate or facilitate.
Synonyms: facilitate, stimulate, prompt, incite, impel, lead to
Antonyms: prevent, impede, deter, inhibit, counteract
Noun (encouragement)
The act of giving someone support, confidence, or hope.
Synonyms: inspiration, morale boost, reassurance, motivation, uplift, cheering
Antonyms: discouragement, demoralization, deterrence, disheartening
Something that provides support, approval, or assistance for the development or continuation of something.
Synonyms: support, backing, aid, promotion, fostering, impetus
Antonyms: hindrance, impediment, obstruction, deterrent
Adjective (encouraging)
Giving hope or confidence; tending to inspire enthusiasm.
Synonyms: hopeful, promising, optimistic, positive, heartening, reassuring
Antonyms: discouraging, disheartening, disappointing, bleak, bleak
Adverb (encouragingly)
In a way that gives hope or confidence.
Synonyms: hopefully, reassuringly, positively, optimistically, spiritedly
Antonyms: discouragingly, dishearteningly, negatively, skeptically
Examples of Use
Books:
"These seven book recommendations, in addition to the authors mentioned above, are perfect for encouraging children who dislike reading." (Waterford.org, July 2025)
"Shauna writes poignant snapshots of the joys and pains of breaking bread with one another and provides delicious recipes to encourage us to make memories around the tables we share." (Club31Women, Retrieved July 2025)
Newspapers:
"Therefore, one of the most effective ways to encourage newspaper reading is by modeling the behaviour ourselves." (Dr. Kishore's Ratnam Schools, Retrieved July 2025)
"Instead of issuing a circular, your MD may mention in a routine meeting of HODs that they need to encourage their subordinates to read the newspapers during break time." (CiteHR, February 2018)
Online Publications:
"Maria Montessori reminds us of the value of providing support for students, 'We must give him the means and encourage him.'" (AMSHQ.org, July 2024)
"Dear students, I encourage you to keep on going, even when the going gets tough. Learning is a lifelong enriching journey." (Indspire.ca, January 2024)
"Welcome and encourage newcomers. Make new members of the community feel welcome and at ease." (Yunits.com, Retrieved July 2025)
Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
"Positive entertainment is that which inspires, uplifts, encourages and motivates the listener or viewer to do something to make this world, another individual, or oneself better." (Focus on the Family, Retrieved July 2025)
"In the Dream Crazier sports marketing campaign, Serena Williams and Nike encouraged women to dream big." (Greenfly, Retrieved July 2025)
"This is a fun way to encourage your attendees to upload their own pictures and videos of the event." (AVPartners, March 2019)
General Public Discourse:
"Providing technical assistance to the public or community groups to help them understand technical information relevant to the decision, where appropriate, using deliberative forums that encourage more active forms of participation..." (US EPA, February 2025)
"To encourage open dialogue in the classroom, faculty should be conscious of how they communicate to learners about politics." (Indiana University School of Medicine, November 2020)
"In public health campaigns promoting vaccination, language like, 'Protect your community by getting vaccinated,' frames vaccination as a social responsibility. Discourse analysis would investigate how this language encourages collective action..." (Discourse Analyzer AI Toolkit, March 2025)
10 Quotes Using Encourage
"Correction does much, but encouragement does more." (Johann Wolfgang von Goethe)
"The way to develop the best that is in a man is by appreciation and encouragement." (Charles M. Schwab)
"When you encourage others, you in the process are encouraged because you're making a commitment and difference in that person's life." (Zig Ziglar)
"If you are a leader, you should never forget that everyone needs encouragement." (John C. Maxwell)
"We get strength and encouragement from watching children." (Hayao Miyazaki)
"My encouragement: delete the energy vampires from your life, clean out all complexity, build a team around you that frees you to fly, remove anything toxic, and cherish simplicity." (Robin S. Sharma)
"Sending a note of appreciation, gratitude, or encouragement can go a long way in showing someone you care." (Cynthia Germanotta)
"For whatever reason, I didn't succumb to the stereotype that science wasn't for girls. I got encouragement from my parents." (Sally Ride)
"Encourage yourself, believe in yourself, and love yourself. Never doubt who you are." (Stephanie Lahart)
"Let us therefore animate and encourage each other, and show the whole world that a Freeman, contending for liberty on his own ground, is superior to any slavish mercenary on earth." (George Washington)
Etymology
The word "encourage" has a clear and interesting history that points to its core meaning.
It comes from the Old French word "encoragier," which essentially meant "to make strong" or "to hearten." You can break this down further:
"En-": This is an old French prefix that means "in" or "into," and also "to make" or "to put in."
"Corage": This is the Old French word for "courage" or "heart."
So, when you put "en-" and "corage" together, you get the idea of putting courage into someone, or making someone feel brave and hopeful.
The first known use of "encourage" as a verb in English dates back to the early 15th century (around the 1400s). At that time, its meaning was exactly what its Old French roots suggest: to inspire someone with courage, spirit, or hope. It was about giving someone the inner strength they needed to face a challenge or pursue something.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Encourage
To encourage someone to do something: This is a very common phrase, meaning to give someone support or motivation to take an action. (e.g., "Her parents encouraged her to pursue her artistic talents.")
To encourage good behavior/habits: To promote or foster positive actions or routines. (e.g., "The school system aims to encourage healthy eating among students.")
To encourage growth/development: To stimulate or facilitate expansion or progress. (e.g., "These policies are designed to encourage economic growth.")
To encourage open dialogue/discussion: To promote communication and the free exchange of ideas. (e.g., "The moderator tried to encourage open dialogue during the debate.")
Words of encouragement: A phrase referring to supportive or hopeful statements. (e.g., "She received many words of encouragement after her performance.")
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of encourage from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
