encouraging

1 of 2

adjective

en·​cour·​ag·​ing in-ˈkər-i-jiŋ How to pronounce encouraging (audio)
-ˈkə-ri-, 
en-
Synonyms of encouragingnext
: giving hope or promise
encouraging news
encouragingly
in-ˈkər-i-jiŋ-lē How to pronounce encouraging (audio)
-ˈkə-ri-, 
en-
adverb

encouraging

2 of 2

present participle of encourage

Synonyms of encouraging

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Adjective

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Examples of encouraging in a Sentence

Adjective We've just heard some encouraging news. encouraging signs that the economy is improving
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Adjective
Promises of investment at face value are encouraging but United have historically run their women’s team on a shoestring budget and yet managed to overperform. — Charlotte Harpur, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026 Investors welcomed some encouraging signals about demand for artificial intelligence from two big tech companies, Dell and Palo Alto Networks. — Damian J. Troise, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026 Cramer said the ramp-up is encouraging, but the company should go much further because of the growing disconnect between Nvidia's fundamentals and its stock performance. — Alexa Lomonaco, CNBC, 1 Sep. 2026 Both pitchers rely on high velocity and the coaching staff has seen encouraging signs from both of them. — Kansas City Star, 1 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for encouraging

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1593, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of encouraging was in 1593

Rhymes for encouraging

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Browse Nearby Words

encourager
encouraging
Encratism
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Encouraging.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/encouraging. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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