encourage | Definition of encourage

Synonyms and Antonyms of encourage

1 to fill with courage or strength of purpose

a pep talk that encouraged the team to get out there and win

Synonyms of encourage

bear up, buck up, buoy (up), cheer (up), chirk (up), embolden, hearten, inspire, inspirit, steel

Words Related to encourage

animate, enliven, invigorate

enforce, fortify, reinforce (also reenforce), strengthen

assure, reassure

boost, energize, excite, galvanize, provoke, quicken, rally, stimulate, stir

Near Antonyms of encourage

demoralize, depress, sadden

debilitate, enfeeble, hamstring, undermine, weaken

intimidate, psych (out)

Antonyms of encourage

daunt, discourage, dishearten, dispirit

2 to help the growth or development of

asserted that the government should be encouraging small businesses, not smothering them with regulations

Synonyms of encourage

advance, cultivate, forward, foster, further, incubate, nourish, nurse, nurture, promote

Words Related to encourage

advocate, back, champion, endorse (also indorse), support, uphold

endow, finance, fund, patronize, stake, subsidize, underwrite

abet, aid, assist

advertise, boost, plug, publicize, tout

agitate (for), campaign (for), work (for)

Near Antonyms of encourage

ban, bar, enjoin, forbid, interdict, outlaw, prevent, prohibit, proscribe

battle, combat, contend (with), counter, fight, oppose

repress, snuff (out), squash, squelch, stifle, subdue, suppress

arrest, check, halt, retard

encumber, fetter, hobble, impede, interfere (with), manacle, obstruct, shackle

Antonyms of encourage

discourage, frustrate, hinder, inhibit

3 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

Synonyms of encourage

arouse, excite, fire (up), impassion, incite, instigate, move, pique, provoke, rev (up), spark, stimulate, stir

Words Related to encourage

fan, ignite, inflame (also enflame), kindle, trigger

activate, animate, drive, energize, galvanize, induce, inspire, key (up), motivate, motive, pump up, quicken, set off, vitalize

abet, ferment, foment, raise, whip (up)

anger, enrage, madden, upset

jeer, taunt, tease

aggravate, annoy