encouraging
adjective
en·cour·ag·ing
in-ˈkər-i-jiŋ 
-ˈkə-ri-,
en-
: giving hope or promise
encouraging news
Synonyms
Examples of encouraging in a Sentence
We've just heard some encouraging news.
encouraging signs that the economy is improving
Recent Examples on the Web
Others were simply grateful for the encouraging news and wished the family well.
—
Brooke Baitinger, Miami Herald, 4 Apr. 2024
The snowpack in the Sierra Nevada on Tuesday stood at 110 percent of average for early April, an encouraging sign that the state would have plenty of water — at least, in the months ahead.
—Jill Cowan, New York Times, 2 Apr. 2024
Recent figures are more encouraging, showing a dip of 26 percent in car thefts for the first part of 2024.
—Jasmine Hilton, Washington Post, 25 Mar. 2024
New hires are an encouraging approach In many ways, the measure of Mnookin’s success will depend on her ability to drive the necessary cultural change.
—Kathleen Gallagher, Journal Sentinel, 19 Mar. 2024
The city has witnessed continuous fallout from its struggles with crime, but somewhat encouraging recent data trends led Oakland’s leaders on Monday to suggest that their efforts to turn things around may be paying off.
—Shomik Mukherjee, The Mercury News, 18 Mar. 2024
Another encouraging statistic, officials said, is a 4 percent increase in off-task time for ambulances.
—David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Mar. 2024
In an encouraging sign for non-major label artists, DIY artists and those signed to independent labels generated nearly $4.5 billion on Spotify — the first year the category accounted for approximately half of the total.
—Jem Aswad, Variety, 19 Mar. 2024
One encouraging sign: She’s begun assembling an impressive team from outside the university, some replacing people who’ve been at UW-Madison for 30-plus years.
—Kathleen Gallagher, Journal Sentinel, 19 Mar. 2024
Brooke Baitinger, Miami Herald, 4 Apr. 2024
The snowpack in the Sierra Nevada on Tuesday stood at 110 percent of average for early April, an encouraging sign that the state would have plenty of water — at least, in the months ahead.
—Jill Cowan, New York Times, 2 Apr. 2024
Recent figures are more encouraging, showing a dip of 26 percent in car thefts for the first part of 2024.
—Jasmine Hilton, Washington Post, 25 Mar. 2024
New hires are an encouraging approach In many ways, the measure of Mnookin’s success will depend on her ability to drive the necessary cultural change.
—Kathleen Gallagher, Journal Sentinel, 19 Mar. 2024
The city has witnessed continuous fallout from its struggles with crime, but somewhat encouraging recent data trends led Oakland’s leaders on Monday to suggest that their efforts to turn things around may be paying off.
—Shomik Mukherjee, The Mercury News, 18 Mar. 2024
Another encouraging statistic, officials said, is a 4 percent increase in off-task time for ambulances.
—David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Mar. 2024
In an encouraging sign for non-major label artists, DIY artists and those signed to independent labels generated nearly $4.5 billion on Spotify — the first year the category accounted for approximately half of the total.
—Jem Aswad, Variety, 19 Mar. 2024
One encouraging sign: She’s begun assembling an impressive team from outside the university, some replacing people who’ve been at UW-Madison for 30-plus years.
—Kathleen Gallagher, Journal Sentinel, 19 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'encouraging.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1593, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near encouraging
Cite this Entry
“Encouraging.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/encouraging. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
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More from Merriam-Webster on encouraging
Nglish: Translation of encouraging for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of encouraging for Arabic Speakers
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