encouraging
- 1Making someone feel more hopeful, brave, or sure of themselves.
Like a warm light that makes a dark path feel safe to walk.
Her encouraging words helped him try the climb again.
The early test results were encouraging for the whole class.
Similarpromising
Oppositediscouraging, disheartening, unpromising, worrying
Note
- 2Helping someone by cheering them on and giving support.
Like a friend who keeps cheering so you don't give up.
His encouraging coach pushed him to keep practicing.
She is always encouraging with the younger players.
Similarsupportive, positive, reassuring, nurturing
Oppositediscouraging, unsupportive, critical, dismissive
- 3Present participle and gerund of encourage. Use this -ing form when the action is happening now or works as a noun.
The coach is always encouraging the younger players to keep trying.
Encouraging your friends when they feel down is a kind thing to do.
Note
- 4The act of giving someone hope or support.
Like a gentle push that helps someone take the first step.
A little encouraging goes a long way with new workers.
Her constant encouraging kept the whole team going.
Similarsupport
Oppositediscouragement
Note
Showing meanings only.
encouraging is a form of encourage
encourage, verb: To give someone courage, hope, or confidence to keep going. Full entry
- Forms
- encourageencourages he/she/itencouraging -ing formencouraged past tense, past participle
- Spelling
- encourage → encouraging: drop the e, add -ing
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