encourage

/in-ˈkər-ij/

Middle English encoragen, from Anglo-French encorager, from en- + curage courage

verb

  1. to inspire with courage, spirit, or hope : hearten

  2. to attempt to persuade : urge

  3. to spur on : stimulate

she was encouraged to continue by her early success

they encouraged him to go back to school

encourage inspirit hearten embolden mean to fill with courage or strength of purpose. encourage suggests the raising of one's confidence especially by an external agency. inspirit, somewhat literary, implies instilling life, energy, courage, or vigor into something.