encourage
Give someone confidence
Encourage means to give someone confidence, hope, or support to do something: Her teacher encouraged her to apply to medical school.
It can also mean to foster or promote: Warm weather encourages plant growth.
The word suggests helping something along rather than forcing it—a gentle push rather than a shove.
Stir to action
- motivateCause to act
- driveOperate a vehicle
- spurIncentive or heel device
- stimulateProvoke into activity
energize · galvanize · invigorate · push · propel · animate · rouse · stir
Raise in rank
- fosterEncourage development of
- cultivateGrow or develop purposefully
- nurtureSupport growth and development
- advanceMove or progress forward
further · forward · stimulate · facilitate · support · boost · spur · aid
To give courage
- reassureEase someone's doubts
- comfortEase or soothing relief
- consoleComfort in distress
- upliftRaise emotionally or physically
cheer · buoy · embolden · gladden · brighten · revive · put at ease · inspirit
To uphold or sustain
- bolsterStrengthen or buttress
- reinforceAdd strength to something
- strengthenMake more robust
- backReverse side; support
uphold · sustain · fortify · buoy · undergird · nurture · foster · champion
Grant authority or confidence
- enableMake something feasible
- emboldenGive courage to
- equipSupply with necessities
- capacitateMake fit or able
strengthen · build up · liberate · free · authorize · permit · sanction · facilitate
inspire
Stir to action
stimulate · energize · galvanize · invigorate · push · propel · animate · rouse · stir · activate
promote
Raise in rank
- fosterEncourage development of
- cultivateGrow or develop purposefully
- nurtureSupport growth and development
advance · further · forward · stimulate · facilitate · support · boost · spur · aid · abet
hearten
To give courage
uplift · cheer · buoy · embolden · gladden · brighten · revive · put at ease · inspirit · buck up
support
To uphold or sustain
- bolsterStrengthen or buttress
- reinforceAdd strength to something
- strengthenMake more robust
back · uphold · sustain · fortify · buoy · undergird · nurture · foster · champion · advocate
urge
Strong inner drive
prompt · press · entreat · implore · beseech · cajole · prod · nudge · push · lobby
empower
Grant authority or confidence
capacitate · strengthen · build up · liberate · free · authorize · permit · sanction · facilitate · help along
- supportsupport, emotional support, moral support, support group, stand by
- empowerment verbsuplift, support, inspire, enable, boost
- encouragementpraises, hang in there, supports, keep going, motivates
- foster relationshipslisten, communicate, trust, empathy, support
- encourageurge, cheer on, exhort, motivate, inspire
- leadership verbslead, command, direct, manage, supervise
encouragediscourage
Diminish someone's confidence
dishearten · demoralize · dispirit · deflate · depress
encouragediscourage
Diminish someone's confidence
dissuade · deter · talk out of · hinder · restrain
- gentle encouragementSupportive, soft urging
encouraging, encouraged, encouragement, encourages, encouragingly, encourager, encouragers, encouragements