encouraging

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /ɪnˈkʌɹɪd͡ʒɪŋ/
• (General American) IPA^(key): /ɪnˈkɝɹɪd͡ʒɪŋ/

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• Hyphenation: en‧cour‧aging

encouraging (comparative more encouraging, superlative most encouraging)

1. Giving courage, confidence or hope; auspicious.

   Synonym: promising

   Although there is no cure for the disease yet, the research results are encouraging.

   There are some encouraging signs of economic recovery.

2. Supporting by giving encouragement.

   Your encouraging words inspired me to persevere.

• encouragingly
• encouragingness

encouraging

1. present participle and gerund of encourage

encouraging (plural encouragings)

1. encouragement
   • 1853, The Living Age, volume 37, page 58:

     […] the thousand little ties of sympathy and mutual hopes and fears, comfortings and encouragings.