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Main Entry: en·cour·age

Pronunciation: \in-ˈkər-ij, -ˈkə-rij, en-\

Function: transitive verb

Inflected Form(s): en·cour·aged; en·cour·ag·ing

Etymology: Middle English encoragen, from Anglo-French encorager, from en- + curage courage

Date: 15th century

1 a : to inspire with courage, spirit, or hope : hearten encouraged to continue by her early success> b : to attempt to persuade :urge encouraged him to go back to school>

2 : to spur on : stimulate s plant growth>

3 : to give help or patronage to : foster

- en·cour·ag·er nounsynonyms encourage, inspirit, hearten, embolden mean to fill with courage or strength of purpose. encourage suggests the raising of one's confidence especially by an external agency encouraged the students to greater efforts>. inspirit, somewhat literary, implies instilling life, energy, courage, or vigor into something inspirited the people to resist>. hearten implies the lifting of dispiritedness or despondency by an infusion of fresh courage or zeal heartened by good news>. embolden implies the giving of courage sufficient to overcome timidity or reluctance <emboldened by her first success, she tried an even more difficult climb>.

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15y ago

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