Dictionary-enhanced synonyms
Synonyms for “Encourage” — 5 Other Ways to Say It
To inspire or motivate someone to try or do something.
Meaning of Encourage
To give someone confidence or support to do something; to make something more likely to happen.
How to Pronounce Encourage
IPA: /ɪnˈkʌrɪdʒ/ Stress: oOo
The stress falls on the second syllable: in-CUR-ij. The final 'age' sound is like 'ij' in 'judge'.
5 Synonyms for Encourage — Words Similar to Encourage
Browse alternative words with their meaning, level, and a real example sentence so you pick the synonym that fits your context.
promote
/prəˈməʊt/To give someone a better job or higher position; or to advertise and encourage people to buy or use something.
Example: The manager will promote her to senior analyst next month.
support
/səˈpɔːrt/To help someone or something; to give encouragement or assistance.
Example: Strong pillars support the heavy roof of the building.
urge
/ɜrdʒ/To push or strongly ask someone to do something.
Example: The doctor urged him to quit smoking immediately.
Smart Synonyms for Encourage — When to Use Each
motivate
When emphasizing emotional drive or inner determination
inspire
When the encouragement creates new ideas or ambitions
Antonyms of Encourage — Opposite Words
How to Use Encourage and Its Synonyms in Sentences
- My teacher encouraged me to enter the writing competition. B1
- The company encourages its employees to develop new skills. B1
- These statistics encourage further research into renewable energy. B1
Frequently Asked Questions About Synonyms of Encourage
What is another word for "encourage"?
Common synonyms for "encourage" include: motivate, inspire, promote, support, urge.
What can I say instead of "encourage"?
Try one of these alternatives: motivate, inspire, promote, support, urge. Pick the synonym whose register and meaning fits your sentence — see the cards above for definitions and examples.
Is "encourage" formal or informal?
"encourage" is generally used in neutral contexts.
When should I use "encourage" instead of "motivate"?
Use "encourage" when you want to keep the exact nuance shown in the meaning section above; switch to "motivate" when you need a different register, level, or shade of meaning. Compare the cards above to decide.
What are the antonyms of "encourage"?
Words with the opposite meaning of "encourage" include: discourage, deter.