verb
Meaning 1
To mentally support; to motivate, give courage, hope or spirit.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: transitive
Examples
- I encouraged him during his race.
- Delia's coach encouraged her to focus on the positives.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: bield, embolden, hearten, abet, actuate, goose, fuel, light a fire under, send, sting, bring about, cheer, draw, drive, encourage, egg on, engender, evoke, excite, foment, goad, grill, ignite, impel, incite, induce, inflame, instigate, invoke, lash, motive, motivate, move, obligate, oblige, push, promote, prompt, provoke, rouse, set off, spark off, spur, spur on, stimulate, stir, stir up, stoke, tempt, urge, whet, whip up
Antonyms: discourage, dishearten