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. Stacey Mickles:

   Kids in the U.S. have the opportunity to get top notch educations through athletics scholarships, plus, sports help build self-esteem, so schools encourage athletic participation.

2. President Barack Obama:

   We know young black men are twice as likely as young white men to be 'disconnected' ... we've got to reconnect them, we've got to give more of these young men access to mentors. We've got to continue to encourage responsible fatherhood. We've got to provide more pathways to apply to college or find a job. We can keep them from falling through the cracks.

3. Steven Mnuchin:

   I would encourage Congress, particularly over the next few weeks of the lame duck, let’s try to get something done.

4. Heather Royer:

   The best performing intervention is the one that rewards participants to come back to the gym after a workout. This might mean that( if) we fall off our plans we should try to encourage ourselves to get back to our plans.

5. Sylvia Hatchell:

   I've had the privilege of coaching more than 200 young women during my 44 years in basketball. My goal has always been to help them become the very best people they can be, on the basketball court and in life, i love each and every one of the players I've coached and would do anything to encourage and support them. They are like family to me. I love them all.

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