encouragement

noun

en·​cour·​age·​ment in-ˈkər-ij-mənt 

-ˈkə-rij-, 

en-

1

: the act of encouraging : the state of being encouraged

2

: something that encourages

Synonyms of encouragement

• incentive
• impetus
• motivation
• stimulus

Examples of encouragement in a Sentence

Our aim is the encouragement of investment.

the encouragement of plant growth

teachers who give their students a lot of encouragement

With support and encouragement from their parents, the students organized a fundraiser.

They offered him gifts of money and other encouragements.

Recent Examples on the Web

An introduction, an assignment or a recommendation can make your encouragement tangible. — Bala Sathyanarayanan, Forbes.com, 6 Oct. 2026

In this Year 1 of a rebuild, Dolphins coach Jeff Hafley continues to express a combination of disappointment and encouragement in his postgame press conferences. — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 5 Oct. 2026

People who have followed Brown’s fertility journey have rallied around her family, sharing Tamia’s page and sending messages of encouragement. — Olivia Laborde, AJC.com, 5 Oct. 2026

Mahomes was the last of those, leaning in to share words of encouragement. — Kansas City Star, 5 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1549, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for encouragement

• discouragement