- To inspire with hope, courage, or confidence; hearten.
- To give support to; foster: policies designed to encourage private investment.
- 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.]
encourager en·cour'ag·er n.SYNONYMS encourage, animate, cheer, embolden, hearten, inspirit. 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





