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encourages - 2 dictionary results

en⋅cour⋅age

  [en-kur-ij, -kuhr-]
Use encourages in a Sentence
–verb (used with object), -aged, -ag⋅ing.
1. to inspire with courage, spirit, or confidence: His coach encouraged him throughout the marathon race to keep on running.
2. to stimulate by assistance, approval, etc.: One of the chief duties of a teacher is to encourage students.
3. to promote, advance, or foster: Poverty often encourages crime.
Origin:
1400–50; late ME encoragen < AF, MF encorag(i)er. See en- 1 , courage

Related forms:
en⋅cour⋅ag⋅er, noun
en⋅cour⋅ag⋅ing⋅ly, adverb

Synonyms:
1. embolden, hearten, reassure. 2. urge; support, aid, help.

Antonyms:
1. discourage, dishearten.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To encourages
en·cour·age   (ěn-kûr'ĭj, -kŭr'-)   
tr.v.   en·cour·aged, en·cour·ag·ing, en·cour·ag·es
  1. To inspire with hope, courage, or confidence; hearten.
  2. To give support to; foster: policies designed to encourage private investment.
  3. To stimulate; spur: burning the field to encourage new plant growth.

[Middle English encouragen, from Old French encoragier : en-, causative pref.; see en-1 + corage, courage; see courage.]
en·cour'ag·er n.
Synonyms: These verbs mean to impart courage, inspiration, and resolution to: encouraged the athlete to compete; played music to animate the crowd; a visitor cheering the patient; was emboldened to sing for the guests; praise that heartened us; a pep talk that inspirited the weary team.
Antonym: discourage
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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