encouraging 1 of 2

adjective

in-ˈkər-i-jiŋ How to pronounce encouraging (audio)
Definition of encouragingnext
1
as in promising
having qualities which inspire hope encouraging signs that the economy is improving

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2
as in comforting
making one feel good inside the encouraging story of a young girl who overcame great social and physical obstacles to become an outstanding athlete

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3
as in favorable
pointing toward a happy outcome we're off to an encouraging start on this project

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encouraging

2 of 2

verb

present participle of encourage
1
as in inspiring
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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2
as in promoting
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 provoking
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in urging
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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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 encouraging
Adjective
The encouraging part of this work is how quickly the turnaround can happen once the diagnosis is right. — Joshua George, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2026 The Mamdani administration has taken encouraging steps, including offering free naloxone by mail through its Just in Case campaign and investing $12 million to train and employ 500 additional peer specialists. — Joel Teron, New York Daily News, 31 Aug. 2026
Verb
The aim is to expose students, researchers, and companies to practical aspects of humanoid development while encouraging collaboration around the open platform. — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 2 Sep. 2026 Issa acts on that notion by encouraging a threesome between herself, Paul Baker, and Anton, who has spent much of the episode getting increasingly annoyed about being left out of everyone else’s scheming. — Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 2 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for encouraging
Recent Examples of Synonyms for encouraging
  1. promising
  2. comforting
  3. favorable
  4. inspiring
  5. promoting
  6. provoking
  7. urging
  8. bright
Adjective
  • Transplants of muscle stem cells are a promising avenue for research, having distinct advantages over other tissues in their ability to encourage the growth of new blood vessels and limitations on rapid growth.
    — Mike McRae September 02, New Atlas, 3 Sep. 2026
  • The goalkeeping department has probably been downgraded, considering the highly promising Trafford left, and was replaced by Geronimo Rulli, a solid backup option at 34 years of age.
    — Sam Lee, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of promising
Adjective
  • The availability of my driver’s license to anyone willing to cough up a fee isn’t exactly a comforting thought.
    — Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 2 Sep. 2026
  • But fear not, Margo’s wig remains a comforting presence through it all.
    — Maira Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of comforting
Adjective
  • In addition, environmental conditions are quite favorable for intensification while Edouard remains over water.
    — Brandi D. Addison, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Officials, however, said favorable weather in the coming days could help in the battle to control the blazes.
    — Iris Kwok, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of favorable
Verb
  • Simply buy your ticket, sit back, and enjoy Mother Nature’s awe-inspiring spectacle.
    — Jessica Puckett, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Sep. 2026
  • The company also raised its full-year guidance, inspiring confidence in its stock.
    — Liz Napolitano, CNBC, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of inspiring
Verb
  • Mudryk worked under De Zerbi at Shakhtar Donetsk, with the Italian promoting the winger from their reserve side after loan spells at Arsenal Kyiv and Desna Chernihiv.
    — Elias Burke, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Evidence is needed to build a case for or against the role of firelight in promoting rich, spoken language in our species.
    — Mike McRae September 02, New Atlas, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of promoting
Verb
  • This year's Ig Nobel Prizes — which are awarded for humorous, yet thought-provoking research — have been announced, but not on their home turf.
    — Ari Daniel, NPR, 3 Sep. 2026
  • But not all of Mustard Service’s songs are meant to be so thought-provoking.
    — Charles Moss, SPIN, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of provoking
Verb
  • The backlash went beyond online and reached political figures like New York City Council Speaker Julie Menin, who sent The Met committee a letter urging them to reconsider honoring Galliano.
    — Taijuan Moorman, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2026
  • The criticism then broadened, with Jewish leaders, museum donors and New York politicians publicly urging the museum to reconsider.
    — Andrew Silow-Carroll, Sun Sentinel, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of urging
Adjective
  • Put the cutting in a warm place with bright, indirect light, keep the soil evenly moist, and open the bag once each day to let in fresh air.
    — Alexandra Jones, The Spruce, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Mystery Men Throw it back to the Y2K era with this 1999 comedy starring a plethora of the era’s brightest comedic talents, including Ben Stiller, Kel Mitchell, Janeane Garofolo, and Paul Reubens.
    — Kara Nesvig, Parents, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of bright

Browse Nearby Words

encourages
encouraging
encroach
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Cite this Entry

“Encouraging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/encouraging. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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