encouragement
Pluralencouragements (some meanings)
- 1Something said or done that makes a person feel more confident.
A few words of encouragement from her coach settled her nerves before the race.
The crowd's encouragement carried the runners through the final mile.
Similarsupport, reassurance, praise, cheering
Oppositediscouragement
- 2The act of giving support, confidence, or hope to someone.
Her mentor's steady encouragement of her early drafts kept the novel alive.
Encouragement of open debate is built into the seminar's design.
Similarsupport, backing, fostering, promotion
Oppositediscouragement
- 3Something that incites, supports, promotes, protects, or advances someone or something; an incentive.
A cash bonus for finishing early was all the encouragement the crew needed to work through the weekend.
The grant program offers encouragement to farmers who plant cover crops.
Similarincentive, inducement, motivation, spur, stimulus
Oppositedisincentive, deterrent
- 4The feeling of renewed hope or confidence produced by support from others.
Reading the early reviews, she drew real encouragement from how warmly critics responded.
The team found encouragement in their steady improvement over the season.
Similarheart, comfort, hope, reassurance, inspiration
Oppositediscouragement
Use it in a sentence
Write your own sentence with encouragement, and AI will tell you whether it fits and which meaning you used.
Origin
Borrowed from Middle French "encoragement."