encourage

UK: /ɪnˈkʌrɪdʒ/ US: /ɛnˈkɜrɪdʒ, -ˈkʌr-/ ,(en kûr′ij, -kur′-)

Inflections of 'encourage' (v): (⇒ conjugate)

encourages

v 3rd person singular

encouraging

v pres p

encouraged

v past

encouraged

v past p

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

en•cour•age /ɛnˈkɜrɪdʒ, -ˈkʌr-/   v., -aged, -ag•ing. 

1. to inspire with courage, spirit, or confidence to do something: [~ + object]
   She encouraged him with kind words throughout the ordeal.
   [~ + object + to + verb]
   Letters of support encouraged the mayor to run again.
2. to stimulate by guidance, approval, etc.:
   [~ + object] Your faith encourages me.
3. to foster;
   help bring about:
   [~ + object] Such unkind remarks only encourage prejudice.

en•cour•age•ment, n. [uncountable]

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

en•cour•age  (en kûr′ij, -kur′-), v.t., -aged, -ag•ing. 

1. to inspire with courage, spirit, or confidence:
   His coach encouraged him throughout the marathon race to keep on running.
2. to stimulate by assistance, approval, etc.:
   One of the chief duties of a teacher is to encourage students.
3. to promote, advance, or foster:
   Poverty often encourages crime.

• Anglo-French, Middle French encorag(i)er. See en-¹, courage
• late Middle English encoragen 1400–50

en•cour′ag•er, n. 
en•cour′ag•ing•ly, adv. 
Synonyms

• 1. embolden, hearten, reassure.
• 2. urge; support, aid, help.

Antonyms

• 1. discourage, dishearten.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

encourage / ɪnˈkʌrɪdʒ/ verb (transitive)

1. to inspire (someone) with the courage or confidence (to do something)
2. to stimulate (something or someone to do something) by approval or help; support

enˈcouragement noun

enˈcourager noun

enˈcouraging adjective

enˈcouragingly adverb