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encourages

VERB

stimulate spiritually

Synonyms

STRONGEST

boost buoy embolden hearten inspire reassure restore spur strengthen

STRONG

animate applaud brighten cheer comfort console energize enliven excite exhilarate fortify galvanize gladden goad incite inspirit instigate praise prick push rally refresh revitalize revivify rouse steel stir sway

WEAK

buck up cheer up enhearten give shot in arm prop up psych up

Antonyms

STRONGEST

discourage dishearten dissuade hurt

STRONG

agitate annoy bore calm deaden depress deter dull leave alone repress sadden tire trouble upset weaken

WEAK

block confuse dampen deject dispirit uninspire

VERB

give support; help

Synonyms

STRONGEST

advocate aid assist bolster boost develop ease favor further improve invite promote reassure reinforce spur strengthen subsidize support

STRONG

abet advance approve back befriend brace comfort console countenance endorse fortify forward foster instigate prevail push relieve sanction second serve solace succor sustain uphold

WEAK

back up egg on get behind give a leg up go for pat on the back pull for root for side with smile upon subscribe to

Antonyms

STRONGEST

block cease decrease disapprove discourage dishearten dissuade halt hinder hurt impede injure obstruct oppose prevent protest reject stop thwart undermine weaken worsen

STRONG

annoy condemn disagree ignore neglect refuse trouble upset worry

WEAK

confuse dampen deject depress deter dispirit uninspire

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Drawing on Carol Dweck's concept of a "growth mindset," he encourages adults to focus praise on effort and learning rather than innate ability.

From Science Daily • Jun. 13, 2026

Matt encourages others to write, describing it as one of the simplest and most accessible ways to express yourself.

From BBC • Jun. 13, 2026

The other is strong U.S. economic growth, which encourages investors to bet on riskier SpaceX-like stocks and shun safe assets such as Treasuries.

From Barron's • Jun. 10, 2026

In other words, a booming stock market typically encourages private companies to go public and issue shares, rather than new issuance being what drags the market down, Chadha and Thatte said.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 10, 2026

Gauguin thinks so, too—he pays Vincent compliments, encourages him, and tells him he especially loves what he’s doing with sunflowers.

From "Vincent and Theo: The Van Gogh Brothers" by Deborah Heiligman