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1. a. : to inspire with courage, spirit, or hope : hearten. she was encouraged to continue by her early success. b. : to attempt to persuade : urge. they encouraged him to go back to school. 2. : to spur on : stimulate. warm weather encourages plant growth. 3. : to give help or patronage to : foster.
to help someone to feel confident and able to do something, or to give advice to someone to do something: Our parents always encouraged us to ask questions. If something encourages an activity, it supports it or makes it more likely: The city needs to encourage job creation. encouragement. noun [ U ] us / ɪnˈkɜr·ɪdʒ·mənt, -ˈkʌr·ɪdʒ- /
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- Overview
- How to Provide Words of Encouragement
- 100 Words of Encouragement to Use
- Parting Words
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A few words of encouragement can often go a long way toward cheering someone on—in good times and bad. Encouraging them can be a powerful way to show them you care about them and support them.
Offering positive support through words of encouragement strengthens emotional bonds and helps nurture relationships, says Kristin Wilson, MA, LPC, CCTP, RYT, Chief Experience Officer at Newport Healthcare.
Encouragement offers motivation, boosts confidence, creates a sense of security, and reinforces a person’s worth and capabilities.
— KRISTIN WILSON, MA, LPC, CCTP, RYT
We know that sometimes, the right words can be hard to find. You want to show someone your support but you feel awkward, don't want to sound disingenuous, and get stuck on what to say.
These are some tips that can help you find the right words to encourage someone:
•Listen actively: Listen actively and pay attention to what the person is saying. Understand their concerns and challenges, so you can provide encouragement that specifically addresses their needs.
•Acknowledge their efforts: Recognize the effort someone is putting into a task or goal, regardless of the outcome. Appreciate how hard they’ve worked on something.
•Show them you see them: Instead of giving the person generic praise, give them a specific compliment based on their abilities, strengths, or potential. Make them feel like you see them.
•Be genuine: Authenticity matters. When you encourage someone or praise their efforts, say something you really mean, instead of saying something for the sake of it.
•Focus on the positive: Instead of focusing on something that’s gone wrong, focus on the bright side and encourage them to stay positive.
These are some phrases you can use to encourage your friends, children, coworkers, or partners. Notice how simple and straightforward many of them are. You don't have to be a poet or a motivational speaker to have an impact.
We may not admit it, but we usually like to be encouraged and feel reassured that someone has our back. It's easier to be there for someone—even in small ways—than you might think.
These words and phrases can help you encourage your loved ones through the ups and downs of life. You can use these phrases, or find your own. Either way, they’ll appreciate it if you genuinely mean it. Your support and understanding will probably mean more to them than you know.
50 Deep Conversation Starters for Meaningful Connections
2 Sources
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1.Zhao X, Yang YC, Han G, Zhang Q. The impact of positive verbal rewards on organizational citizenship behavior-the mediating role of psychological ownership and affective commitment. Front Psychol. 2022 Apr 28;13:864078. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.864078
2.Gong Z, Jiao X, Xia X, Yu H, Lv C. The relationship between academic encouragement and academic self-efficacy: a moderated mediation model. Front Psychol. 2022 Jul 7;13:644243. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.644243
verb (used with object) , en·cour·aged, en·cour·ag·ing. to inspire with courage, spirit, or confidence: His coach encouraged him throughout the marathon race to keep on running. Synonyms: reassure, hearten, embolden. Antonyms: dishearten, discourage. to stimulate by assistance, approval, etc.:
adjective [ after verb ] uk / ɪnˈkʌr.ɪdʒd / us / ɪnˈkɝː.ɪdʒd /. Add to word list Add to word list. having more confidence or hope about something: She felt encouraged by their promise of support. SMART Vocabulary: related words and phrases. Encouraging and urging on. abet. barrack for someone.
1. : the act of encouraging : the state of being encouraged. 2. : something that encourages. Synonyms. boost. goad. impetus. impulse. incentive. incitation. incitement. instigation. momentum. motivation. provocation. spur. stimulant. stimulus. yeast.
to give somebody support, courage or hope. encourage somebody We were greatly encouraged by the positive response of the public. She encouraged many young writers and artists. encourage somebody in something My parents have always encouraged me in my choice of career. + speech ‘You're doing fine,’ he encouraged her. Extra Examples.
