1. 鼓励;激励
    If you encourage someone, you give them confidence, for example by letting them know that what they are doing is good and telling them that they should continue to do it.

    e.g. When things aren't going well, he encourages me, telling me not to give up.
           事情进展不顺的时候，他鼓励我说不要放弃。

2. 使有希望;使有信心
    If someone is encouraged by something that happens, it gives them hope or confidence.

    e.g. Investors were encouraged by the news...
           那个消息给了投资者信心。
    e.g. Mr Blair said he had been encouraged by recent Irish statements about the issue.
           布莱尔先生说最近爱尔兰有关这一问题的申明使他看到了希望。

3. 鼓动；劝说；怂恿
    If you encourage someone to do something, you try to persuade them to do it, for example by telling them that it would be a pleasant thing to do, or by trying to make it easier for them to do it. You can also encourage an activity.

    e.g. We want to encourage people to go fishing, not put them off...
           我们希望鼓励人们去垂钓，而不是打消他们的热情。
    e.g. Herbie Hancock was encouraged by his family to learn music at a young age...
           赫尔比·汉考克年幼时家人就鼓励他学音乐。

4. 刺激;助长;促进
    If something encourages a particular activity or state, it causes it to happen or increase.

encourage的翻译

    e.g. ...a natural substance that encourages cell growth...
           促进细胞生长的天然物质
    e.g. Such secrecy breeds and encourages fear and suspicion...
           如此保密的做法滋生并加剧了人们的恐惧和疑虑。