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.

This year’s abstract dress code, “Fashion Is Art,” encourages guests to treat the body as a canvas and “to express their own relationship to fashion as an embodied art form.”

From Los Angeles Times • May 4, 2026

The primary reason given for this change is that quarterly reporting encourages companies to engage in “short- termism” — managing operations to meet Wall Street’s short-term goals rather than invest in long-term growth.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 27, 2026

The researchers hope their work encourages a more careful look at omega-3 supplementation, both in clinical settings and among the general public.

From Science Daily • Apr. 26, 2026

His new album is more Nashville than Los Angeles and he seems more LA than Liverpool as he encourages an American interviewing a British national treasure for the BBC to just relax.

From BBC • Apr. 23, 2026

Vincent encourages Theo to continue to take on even more new work, such as some of the latest paintings by Georges Seurat, which they’d both liked the day Vincent left.

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