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. Sayuri Shirai:

   It doesn't make sense to deepen negative interest rates and hurt banks when you're actually trying to encourage them to lend more, it's a tool that is very hard to use at a time like now.

2. David Bahati:

   We hope that the Pope will be able to stand and say something about this and confirm what is written in the Bible to Uganda and to the world -- and encourage many of who have been working to make sure that the word that is written in the Bible is never destroyed.

3. Tom Frieden:

   The White House and The CDC have been working together in partnership since the very beginning of this pandemic to carry out the President's highest priority : the health and safety of the American public., we encourage all Americans to continue to follow the CDC's guidelines and use best-practices they have learned, such as social distancing, face coverings, and good hygiene, to maintain public health and continue our Transition to Greatness.

4. Bruce Lee:

   Times are changing now, it's better with all of these positive role models and that's what I hope to become for the younger girls, to encourage them to take part in martial arts.

5. Ethical Traveler report:

   By spending travel dollars in forward-thinking countries, explorers can reward the good guys -- and encourage humane practices worldwide.

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