1. to promote, foster, or strengthen feelings of fear or anxiety in someone; to make someone more fearful
The negative news media tends to encourage fears among the population.
A mídia de notícias negativas tende a encorajar medos entre a população.
2. to inadvertently or deliberately support conditions that allow fears to develop or intensify
Uncertainty in the market can encourage fears of economic collapse.
A incerteza no mercado pode alimentar temores de colapso econômico.