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en·cour·age
 encourage
- pronunciation:
- ihn
kuhr
ihj
| part of speech: |
verb |
| inflections: |
encouraged, encourages, encouraging |
| definition 1: |
to give hope or courage to; give confidence to.
Winning in the first round encouraged the team and gave them confidence that they could win.- antonyms:
- deter, discourage, dismay
- similar words:
- assure, cheer, inspire, rally, rouse
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| definition 2: |
to give help, support, or approval to.
The coach encouraged her in her dreams of becoming a track star.The two boys were starting up a fight, and their friends were encouraging them.- synonyms:
- egg on, prompt, spur on
- antonyms:
- hinder
- similar words:
- incite, inspire, invite, pat on the back, prod, stimulate, support, urge
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| definition 3: |
to enthusiastically advise (someone) to do something; urge.
Her parents encouraged her to audition for the school play. |
| related words: |
animate, assist, comfort, console, feed, help, lift, nourish, push, recommend, sanction, warm, welcome |
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