Definition of encouraging in English:

adjective

• 1Giving someone support or confidence; supportive.

  ‘she gave me an encouraging smile’

  More example sentences

  • ‘Georgiana gave him what she desperately hoped was an encouraging smile.’
  • ‘Visit our new email form to send me an encouraging epistle.’
  • ‘Well, Happy Veteran's Day to all of your readers and thanks to them for all of the encouraging e-mails!’
  • ‘The Reluctant Soldier On the day before he died, Eddie Wagner wrote an encouraging letter to a friend back at Penn State.’
  • ‘The doctors are as encouraging as they dare be.’
  • ‘The professor gave her an encouraging grin.’
  • ‘I think teachers should be more encouraging.’
  • ‘"Feels just like the real thing," she said, with an encouraging smile.’
  • ‘I have written since that time occasional pieces accepted by a procession of editors, none more encouraging or courteous than Ed Skillin.’
  • ‘I think he started again because I annoy him, even though I have tried to be encouraging.’
  • ‘The officials had not been encouraging.’
  • ‘Now, Don, there's some encouraging news.’
  • ‘Many of you have sent encouraging emails guaranteeing me that things will get better, and I really appreciate your thoughts.’
  • ‘They think they are being encouraging, but in reality, their words can have a devastating effect.’
  • ‘She gave Jane an encouraging smile, and in return Jane confided in her just how uneasy she was.’
  • ‘He proved generous, encouraging, supportive and resilient.’
  • ‘I spoke to Jonathan, and he said some very encouraging words, and everything shifted.’
  • ‘I got the feeling he wished you hadn't been so encouraging.’
  • ‘I'm fairly direct but very encouraging.’
  • ‘She gave him an encouraging look.’

  Synonyms

  supportive, reassuring, affirmative, sympathetic, sensitive, understanding, helpful

  View synonyms

  1. 1.1Positive and giving hope for future success; promising.
     ‘the results are very encouraging’
     More example sentences

     • ‘An extension to three diverse small biomolecules also gave encouraging results.’
     • ‘However, for a mere six-week exposure, even modest success is encouraging.’
     • ‘Still, he says, "seeing the effects in patients with depression was encouraging."’
     • ‘Its recent track record in relation to the semi-states is hardly encouraging.’
     • ‘Word back from the players is very encouraging for the future.’
     • ‘Builders already sense a more encouraging market in coming months.’
     • ‘The results during the first year were very encouraging, with an estimated 250 million of additional yield from the various projects.’
     • ‘The meeting ended early with the only encouraging sign being a vague promise to keep communication open.’
     • ‘The survey also found encouraging evidence on setting outcomes in the Criminal Justice Sector.’
     • ‘Overseas, there are encouraging examples of leadership transforming the fortunes of a country by investing in its children.’
     • ‘That there is any alternative media at all is actually quite encouraging.’
     • ‘AmCham's active involvement in the process is another encouraging sign for the treaty's conclusion.’
     • ‘In Division One, Westwood's encouraging start continued with a 3-win at Queensbury Reserves.’
     • ‘It is an encouraging story to set against Bath's cautionary tale.’
     • ‘Even more encouraging is that he has shown the ability to single-handedly steal a game.’
     • ‘This was the encouraging milieu in which China's reform of the State sector was able to proceed.’
     • ‘One of the most encouraging signs for capital spending is that outlays for new construction are finally turning the corner.’
     • ‘Last week the omens were not terribly encouraging.’
     • ‘However it was encouraging to note that a significant number of those surveyed predicted a standstill budget.’
     • ‘That was something that was encouraging to me.’
     Synonyms

     promising, hopeful, auspicious, propitious, favourable, bright, rosy, cheerful, full of promise

     View synonyms