encouragement

noun

in-ˈkər-ij-mənt How to pronounce encouragement (audio)
Definition of encouragementnext
as in incentive
something that arouses action or activity the huge rebates that the auto companies were offering were all the encouragement I needed to buy a new car

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of encouragement 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 Sharing stories, experiences, and encouragement creates safe spaces for survivors to begin navigating their own lives. — Arkansas Online, 1 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for encouragement
Recent Examples of Synonyms for encouragement
  1. incentive
  2. impetus
  3. motivation
  4. stimulus
Noun
  • Companies have plenty of incentives to make that advertising palatable to consumers, but Ireland believes ads will play a role one way or another.
    — Allison Johnson, The Verge, 9 Oct. 2026
  • The city of Mission ultimately pulled the plug on its tax incentives and threw out the redevelopment agreement.
    — Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of incentive
Noun
  • So, if your travels find you in Milan before 2027 kicks off, consider this your impetus to go ahead and book that room.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Oct. 2026
  • This process seems to have an inexorable direction and impetus.
    — Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of impetus
Noun
  • In her ultra-popular cycling classes, Griffith offers an hour of relief and release, motivation and inspiration.
    — Maggie Ryan, Flow Space, 8 Oct. 2026
  • The signatures of these AI leaders might not reveal much about their intentions or their motivations.
    — Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of motivation
Noun
  • The leaders who are willing to pause between stimulus and response create sustainable change.
    — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Researchers have studied how certain facial and auricular stimuli interact with parasympathetic activity.
    — Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of stimulus

Browse Nearby Words

encouraged
encouragement
encouragements
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Cite this Entry

“Encouragement.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/encouragement. Accessed 11 Oct. 2026.

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