encourage

Meaning

1. (transitive) To mentally support; to motivate, give courage, hope or spirit.
2. (transitive) To spur on, strongly recommend.
3. (transitive) To foster, give help or patronage.

Opposite of

discourage, dishearten

Synonyms

stimulate

urge

inspire

incite

promote

cheer

instigate

spur on

hearten

impel

support

spur

embolden

stir up

abet

prompt

prod

strengthen

foster

give hope

trigger

stir

advance

provocate

cheer up

induce

comfort

inspirit

further

boost

arouse

motivate

provoke

invigorate

exhort

favour

encouragement

drive

console

urge on

rouse

reassure

advise

cheer on

nourish

offer

animate

recommend

refresh

assist

Translations

encourager

ermutigen

alentar

incoraggiare

animar

anspornen

aansporen

antreiben

aanvuren

aanmoedigen

aanwakkeren

espolear

herausfordern

instigar

aufhetzen

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ɪnˈkʌɹ.ɪd͡ʒ/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: encouragen

In summary

From Middle English encouragen, encoragen, from Anglo-Norman encoragier, from Old French encoragier. Displaced native Old English hiertan, tyhtan, and trymman. By surface analysis, en- + courage.