Encouragement Defined

By man (aka Websters Dictionary), because words matter:

Definition of ENCOURAGEMENT

1: the act of encouraging : the state of being encouraged

2: something that encourages

Related to ENCOURAGEMENT

Synonyms: boost, impulse, goad, impetus, incentive, incitation, incitement, instigation, momentum, motivation, provocation, spur, stimulant, stimulus, yeast

Antonyms: counterincentive, disincentive

Definition of ENCOURAGE

1 a : to inspire with courage, spirit, or hope : hearten

b : to attempt to persuade : urge

2: to spur on : stimulate

3: to give help or patronage to : foster

— en·cour·ag·er noun

Synonym Discussion of ENCOURAGE

encourage, inspirit, hearten, embolden mean to fill with courage or strength of purpose. encourage suggests the raising of one's confidence especially by an external agency. inspirit, somewhat literary, implies instilling life, energy, courage, or vigor into something. hearten implies the lifting of dispiritedness or despondency by an infusion of fresh courage or zeal. embolden implies the giving of courage sufficient to overcome timidity or reluctance.