Verb encourage has 3 senses
  1. promote, advance, boost, further, encourage - contribute to the progress or growth of; "I am promoting the use of computers in the classroom"
    --1 is one way to support, back up
    Derived form: noun encouragement2
    Sample sentence:
    They encourage him to write the letter
  2. encourage - inspire with confidence; give hope or courage to
    --2 is one way to
    inspire, animate, invigorate, enliven, exalt
    Antonyms: discourage
    Derived form: noun encouragement3
    Sample sentence:
    The good news will encourage her
  3. encourage - spur on; "His financial success encouraged him to look for a wife"
    --3 is one way to
    induce, stimulate, cause, have, get, make
    Sample sentence:
    They encourage him to write the letter
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