Antonyms for encourage
ɛnˈkɜr ɪdʒ, -ˈkʌr-en·cour·age

WiktionaryRate these synonyms:5.0 / 1 vote

1. encourageverb

   Antonyms:
   discourage

2. encourageverb

   I encouraged him during his race.

   Antonyms:
   discourage

3. encourageverb

   We encourage the use of bicycles in the town centre.

   Antonyms:
   discourage

4. encourageverb

   The royal family has always encouraged the arts in word and deed

   Antonyms:
   discourage

English Synonyms and AntonymsRate these synonyms:0.0 / 0 votes

1. encourage

   Abet and instigate are now used almost without exception in a bad sense; one may incite either to good or evil. One incites or instigates to the doing of something not yet done, or to increased activity or further advance in the doing of it; one abets by giving sympathy, countenance, or substantial aid to the doing of that which is already projected or in process of commission. Abet and instigate apply either to persons or actions, incite to persons only; one incites a person to an action. A clergyman will advocate the claims of justice, aid the poor, encourage the despondent, support the weak, uphold the constituted authorities; but he will not incite to a quarrel, instigate a riot, or abet a crime. The originator of a crime often instigates or incites others to abet him in it, or one may instigate or incite others to a crime in the commission of which he himself takes no active part. Compare HELP.

   Antonyms:
   baffle, confound, counteract, denounce, deter, disapprove, disconcert, discourage, dissuade, expose, frustrate, hinder, impede, obstruct

   Synonyms:
   abet, advocate, aid, assist, countenance, embolden, incite, instigate, promote, sanction, support, uphold

Complete Dictionary of Synonyms and AntonymsRate these synonyms:1.0 / 1 vote

1. encourage

   Antonyms:
   deter, discourage, dissuade, dispirit

   Synonyms:
   embolden, rally, enhearten, cheer, incite, stimulate, foster, cherish, promote, urge, impel, advance, countenance, forward, reassure, animate, inspirit, prompt, abet

Matched Categories

1. • Induce
   • Inspire
   • Support

Princeton's WordNetRate these antonyms:5.0 / 1 vote

1. promote, advance, boost, further, encourageverb

   contribute to the progress or growth of

   "I am promoting the use of computers in the classroom"

   Antonyms:
   discourage

   Synonyms:
   throw out, supercharge, bring forward, come along, pass on, get along, win, elevate, kick upstairs, progress, advertize, come on, make headway, advance, upgrade, hike, hike up, gain, pull ahead, foster, promote, boost, go on, gain ground, raise, advertise, move on, get on, shape up, further, push, set ahead, march on, get ahead

2. encourageverb

   inspire with confidence; give hope or courage to

   Antonyms:
   discourage

   Synonyms:
   boost, advance, promote, further

3. encourageverb

   spur on

   "His financial success encouraged him to look for a wife"

   Antonyms:
   discourage

   Synonyms:
   boost, advance, promote, further

Synonyms, Antonyms & Associated WordsRate these synonyms:0.0 / 0 votes

1. encourageverb

   Synonyms:
   enhearten, reassure, embolden, inspirit, stimulate, revive, rally, foment, countenance, incite

Editors ContributionRate these antonyms:2.0 / 3 votes

1. abaseverb

   Submitted by Abdullahumair421 on April 15, 2024  

2. criticism

   give support, confidence, or hope to (someone).

   we were encouraged by the success of this venture

   Submitted by acronimous on September 24, 2015  

How to use encourage in a sentence?

1. Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown:

   While it may be too late for the survivors to see criminal justice served, we hope that exposing the Archdiocese’s transgressions to the fullest extent possible will bring some measure of accountability and perhaps encourage others to come forward.

2. Governor Kate Brown:

   I encourage Oregonians to be aware and considerate of our state's natural beauty, neighbors, and pets before deciding on when and where you choose to light fireworks.

3. Michael Steinbach:

   There are individuals out there who are inspired by the message of terrorist groups and they encourage family members, including their children, to follow that path.

4. Heritage Action:

   This amendment is inadequate, as it does not cover non-immigrant temporary visas, like students, who also pose security risks, the CCP views every citizen as an instrument to serve the party, and they encourage and apply leverage against many of their citizens working and studying abroad to continue that theft. Passing legislation that would massively increase the number of Chinese national visa holders is a bad idea at this time.

5. Gabriela Cuevas Barron:

   Thats why we believe we need to encourage parliaments to have affirmative action.

How to pronounce encourage?

How to say encourage in sign language?

Words popularity by usage frequency