encourage

encourage — verb

1. to create favourable surroundings that allow a particular activity, feeling, or

1.verbtransitiveB2
Definition

to create favourable surroundings that allow a particular activity, feeling, or process to grow and flourish

Example

Warmth and moisture encourage the seeds to sprout within days.

encourage + object + to-infinitive (natural process)

The new law encourages companies to reduce their carbon emissions.

encourage + object + to-infinitive (policy context)

Common collocations
  • strongly encouraged
  • actively encouraged
  • encourage growth
  • encourage development
  • encourage participation
Synonyms
  • foster

    suggests deliberate, patient nurturing over time; more formal

  • promote

    focuses on actively advancing something; often used in business or policy contexts

  • stimulate

    implies sparking activity or development; often used for economic or biological processes

Antonyms
  • discourage

    to make something less likely to happen

  • hinder

    to create obstacles that slow or stop development

  • inhibit

    to restrain or prevent a process from occurring

Grammar Patterns

encourage + noun phrase

encourage + object + to-infinitive

Usage Note

Often used in passive constructions (e.g., 'is encouraged by'). The subject is typically a condition, policy, or environment rather than a person.

Common Mistakes

The coach encouraged the athlete to grow taller.
The coach encouraged the athlete to grow stronger.
When referring to people, this sense applies to skills or qualities, not physical growth.

2. to say or do things that give someone the confidence or hope they need to pursue

2.verbtransitiveB1
Definition

to say or do things that give someone the confidence or hope they need to pursue something they might otherwise be hesitant about

Example

Takeshi encouraged his sister before her job interview by praising her strengths.

encourage + object + by + gerund (manner of support)

Kwame's coach always encourages the team after a disappointing loss.

Common collocations
  • encourage each other
  • verbally encourage
  • encourage someone in their efforts
  • warmly encourage
Synonyms
  • hearten

    emphasises lifting spirits when someone feels discouraged; slightly formal

  • reassure

    focuses on removing doubt or worry rather than building courage

  • cheer on

    informal; describes vocal support during a performance or competition

  • inspire

    stronger effect — makes someone feel excited and motivated to do something ambitious

Antonyms
  • discourage

    to make someone lose confidence or hope

  • demoralize

    to destroy someone's spirit or confidence completely

  • dishearten

    to cause someone to lose determination or hope

Grammar Patterns

encourage + object + to-infinitive

encourage + object + in + noun phrase

encourage + object + by + gerund

Usage Note

The direct object is always a person or group. Commonly followed by a to-infinitive clause or a prepositional phrase with 'in' (e.g., 'encouraged her in her studies').

Common Mistakes

The doctor encouraged him to quit smoking.' (when the doctor was persuading, not supporting)
The doctor encouraged him to quit smoking by explaining the health benefits.
The line between support and persuasion is blurry; context determines which sense is active.

3. to try to convince someone to take a particular action, especially by pointing o

3.verbtransitiveB2
Definition

to try to convince someone to take a particular action, especially by pointing out benefits, offering help, or reducing obstacles

Example

The travel agent encouraged us to book early to secure the best rate.

encourage + object + to-infinitive (persuasion with incentive)

Emre's manager encouraged the sales team to call more potential clients.

Common collocations
  • gently encourage
  • explicitly encourage
  • encourage someone into doing something
Synonyms
  • urge

    stronger and more insistent than encourage; implies pressing someone

  • persuade

    focuses on successfully convincing someone through reasoning

  • prompt

    suggests a small push or reminder to get someone started

  • push

    informal; can imply slight pressure or even annoyance

Antonyms
  • discourage from

    to try to persuade someone not to do something

  • dissuade

    formal; to convince someone not to take a particular course of action

Grammar Patterns

encourage + object + to-infinitive

encourage + object + into + noun phrase/gerund

Usage Note

Frequently implies a reasoned or gentle appeal rather than strong pressure. Unlike 'force' or 'make', the subject cannot compel the action — the decision remains with the other person.

Common Mistakes

He encouraged her to come to the party' (when he was just being polite about an open invitation).
He encouraged her to come to the party by offering to pick her up.
Sense 3 requires active persuasion, not a casual invitation.

Word family

  • encouragement
    nounB2
  • encouraging
    adjectiveB2
  • encouragingly
    adverbC1
  • encouraged
    adjectiveB2
  • discourage
    verbB2
  • discouraged
    adjectiveB2
  • discouraging
    adjectiveC1
  • discouragement
    nounC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/2

Encourage, hearten, reassure, cheer on, and inspire all relate to giving someone positive emotional support. Encourage is the broadest term — it covers any words or actions that build confidence or motivation. Hearten emphasises lifting someone's spirits when they feel down or discouraged, often in the face of difficulty. Reassure focuses on removing doubt or worry by telling someone that everything will be alright. Cheer on is informal and describes lively vocal support during a performance or competition, like shouting from the sidelines. Inspire has the strongest effect — it makes someone feel deeply motivated to pursue something creative, ambitious, or meaningful. For example: 'Her grandmother encouraged her to keep studying.' 'The team was heartened by the crowd's support.' 'The nurse reassured the patient that the procedure was routine.' 'The fans cheered on the runners for the final kilometre.' 'The documentary inspired Hugo to volunteer for the conservation project.'

encourageheartenreassurecheer oninspire

Common collocations

Nouns

  • growth
  • development
  • participation
  • effort
  • confidence
  • creativity

Adverbs

  • strongly
  • actively
  • warmly
  • gently
  • greatly
  • particularly

Phrases

  • encourage someone to do something
  • be encouraged by
  • encourage someone in their

Prepositions

  • to (infinitive)
  • in
  • by
  • into

Etymology

Old FrenchAnglo-NormanMiddle EnglishEnglish

Encourage comes from the Old French word 'encoragier', which combines 'en-' (to make or put into) with 'corage' (courage, heart). The literal meaning was 'to put heart into' someone. It entered English in the 1400s during the Middle English period, and the modern spelling was influenced by later French forms.