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Antonyms for encourage


Grammar : Verb
Spell : en-kur-ij, -kuhr-
Phonetic Transcription : ɛnˈkɜr ɪdʒ, -ˈkʌr-



Definition of encourage

Origin :
  • early 15c., from Old French encoragier "make strong, hearten," from en- "make, put in" (see en- (1)) + corage (see courage). Related: Encouraged; encouraging.
  • verb stimulate spiritually
  • verb give support; help
Example sentences :
  • I should think Hester would have more sense than to encourage a boy in his position.
  • Extract from : « Brave and Bold » by Horatio Alger
  • We should encourage the establishment of American steamship lines.
  • Extract from : « United States Presidents' Inaugural Speeches » by Various
  • We hope he may depend upon that: we encourage him to think he may.
  • Extract from : « Clarissa, Volume 1 (of 9) » by Samuel Richardson
  • I beg you will encourage the militia and engage them to continue their exertions.
  • Extract from : « A Sketch of the Life of Brig. Gen. Francis Marion » by William Dobein James
  • To sympathize with people like that was only to encourage them!
  • Extract from : « Weighed and Wanting » by George MacDonald
  • It's the first night, so we must all be there to encourage old Benderson.
  • Extract from : « In the Midst of Alarms » by Robert Barr
  • Same tone as if trying his best to encourage the witness in his statements.
  • Extract from : « The Underdog » by F. Hopkinson Smith
  • He stepped up to Mary Ann's bed, and tried to encourage her, as that was his way.
  • Extract from : « What Sami Sings with the Birds » by Johanna Spyri
  • It was Provost, my first professor, who had come to encourage me.
  • Extract from : « My Double Life » by Sarah Bernhardt
  • He would not encourage them in their vulgarity; they should have nothing from him that was not literature.
  • Extract from : « Alarms and Discursions » by G. K. Chesterton

Synonyms for encourage

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019