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   encourage

   /ɪnˈkʌrɪdʒ/

   verb

   • 1. give support, confidence, or hope to (someone): "we were encouraged by the success of this venture" Similar heartencheerbuoy upupliftinspiremotivateegg onspur onstirstir upwhip upfire upstimulateanimateinvigoratevitalizerevitalizeemboldenfortifyrallyincitelift the spirits ofraise the morale ofstiffen the resolve ofinformal:buck uppep upgive a shot in the arm tolight a fire underrare:inspiritspirit someone upfillipincentivizeOpposite discourage
   • ▪ persuade (someone) to do or continue to do something by giving support and advice: "pupils are encouraged to be creative" Similar persuadecoaxurgepresspushpressurepressurizeexhortspurprodgoadegg onpromptinfluenceswayinformal:put the heat onput the screws ontwist someone's armOpposite dissuade
   • ▪ stimulate the development of (an activity, state, or belief): "the intention is to encourage new writing talent" Similar supportbackendorsechampionadvocaterecommendpromotefurtheradvanceforwardfosterstrengthenenrichhelpassistaidabetboostfuelfavourOpposite hinder

   Word Origin Middle English (formerly also as incourage): from French encourager, from en- ‘in’ + corage ‘courage’.

   Derivatives

   • 1. encourager noun

   Scrabble Points: 12

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