encouraged 1 of 2

adjective

1
as in reassured

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2
as in supported

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Dissimilar Words

encouraged

2 of 2

verb

past tense of encourage
1
as in inspired
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in promoted
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 provoked
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 urged
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of encouraged
Adjective
The pros—the backbone of the show, who for years seemed encouraged to step back so their celebrity partners could shine—have moved to the fore. — Perrie Samotin, Glamour, 13 Oct. 2026 The play of Phillips, Taaffe, Rodriguez and Johnson should have the Dolphins very encouraged. — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 5 Oct. 2026 In one place, a behavior is permissible or even encouraged, while in another, that same behavior is unacceptable and has negative consequences. — Dr. Monika Sumra, Forbes.com, 22 Sep. 2026 Individuals with backgrounds in science are especially encouraged to apply. — Susan Soldavin, Baltimore Sun, 20 Sep. 2026 Additionally, several people said workers aren’t encouraged to wear ventilators or use other types of protective equipment while operating the saws and breathing in the foam dust. — Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Sep. 2026 Wearing vintage ski gear is also highly encouraged during the festivities. — Tiney Ricciardi, Denver Post, 16 Sep. 2026 Anyone returning home is strongly encouraged to remain prepared and make arrangements now to evacuate quickly should conditions worsen or another evacuation order be issued. — Doug Myers, CBS News, 15 Sep. 2026 As the long night ended, Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald seemed encouraged that Darnold avoided at least one worst-case scenario. — Jerry Brewer, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2026
Verb
He was encouraged to do so by Sadie Sink, who returned to Broadway in 2025 John Proctor is the Villain. — Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 17 Oct. 2026 For businesses, flood panels are not only permissible but also encouraged via flood insurance discounts. — Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 16 Oct. 2026 Freire encouraged the two women to consume the drug upon arriving to the residence hall, according to the indictment. — Matt Lavietes, NBC news, 16 Oct. 2026 Set in 1969, attendees are encouraged to come wearing their finest period clothing. — Robert Z. Pearlman, Space.com, 16 Oct. 2026 Although vehicles will be encouraged to use the official route, Caltrans acknowledged that drivers will take the path of least resistance to their destination. — Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026 Motorists are encouraged to plan ahead and allow extra time when traveling on State Highway 55. — Harllie Stevenson, Idaho Statesman, 9 Oct. 2026 The departmen and encouraged the public to continue submitting legitimate information through its unsolved murders website. — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 9 Oct. 2026 The pact encouraged investment in railroads, pipelines, electric grids, and border systems that made supply chains more efficient, especially in manufacturing. — Robert B. Zoellick, Foreign Affairs, 9 Oct. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for encouraged
  1. reassured
  2. supported
  3. inspired
  4. promoted
  5. provoked
  6. urged
  7. unafraid
  8. suggested
Adjective
  • Given the recent weakness in the stock and the broader macro uncertainty, hearing from management left us feeling more reassured in our position.
    — Jeff Marks,Paulina Likos, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2025
Definition of reassured
Adjective
  • When a leader is responsible for too many people, employees can start to feel less seen, less supported and less guided.
    — Bronwen Sciortino, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026
Definition of supported
Verb
  • Eight finalists will compete in a series of challenges inspired by the skills required to make each and every order.
    — Mya Copeland, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Technology’s impact on the shrinking media landscape inspired The Devil Wears Prada 2, which reunited Tucci with costars Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, and his real-life sister-in-law Emily Blunt.
    — Savannah Walsh, Vanity Fair, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of inspired
Verb
  • Councilmember Mercedes Narcisse asked why the company promoted the idea of users uploading X-rays to Grok, asking if that was safe and if HIPPA protections applied.
    — Lora Kolodny, CNBC, 16 Oct. 2026
  • The singer-songwriter and pianist promoted his new record, AGAPE, earlier this month, according to a press release.
    — Verónica Egui Brito, Miami Herald, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of promoted
Verb
  • Sectarian violence made religious mobilization increasingly unattractive, while foreign occupation provoked an awareness of Iraqi nationhood.
    — Mansoor Moaddel, Foreign Affairs, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Even in a country with one of the highest murder rates in the world, the scale of the killings in such a short space of time has provoked shock.
    — Nimi Princewill, CNN Money, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of provoked
Verb
  • Both urged demonstrators to make their voices heard at the ballot box.
    — Sarah Cutler, Idaho Statesman, 19 Oct. 2026
  • Student groups protesting since mid-September through school blockades have urged supporters to join them.
    — SYLVIE CORBET, Arkansas Online, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of urged
Adjective
  • This year, Walker emerged as a more dominant bear unafraid to defend his spot on the hierarchy.
    — Popular Science Team, Popular Science, 25 Sep. 2026
  • Rabid wild animals may seem unusually tame or unafraid of people.
    — The Sacramento Bee staff, Sacbee.com, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of unafraid
Adjective
  • Owners should check the calorie information on the food label rather than relying solely on the suggested serving size, which may be too generous.
    — Lauren Paige Richeson, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Among suggested changes are expanding voting rights and ending ICE detentions and deportations.
    — Gary Franks, Hartford Courant, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of suggested

Browse Nearby Words

encourage
encouraged
encouragement
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Cite this Entry

“Encouraged.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/encouraged. Accessed 22 Oct. 2026.

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