Legal Definitions - encourage

Definition: To instigate, incite, embolden, or help someone to take action.

Example: If someone encourages another person to commit a crime, they are aiding and abetting that person.

Explanation: Encouraging someone to commit a crime means that you are motivating or persuading them to do it. This can be considered aiding and abetting, which is a crime in most places. For example, if someone tells their friend to steal something, they are encouraging them to commit theft. This is illegal and can result in both parties being charged with a crime.