1
as in to frustrate
to lessen the courage or confidence of
I didn't let losing discourage me from trying again
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to dissuade
to steer (a person) from an activity or course of action
the higher fines may help discourage drivers from speeding on the highway
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of discourage
Some say it’s intended to discourage unauthorized migration.
—
Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 19 June 2025
Trump officials have also discouraged some federal agencies from recognizing other racial heritage celebrations.
—Rebecca Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 19 June 2025
Her early jump into campaigning beginning in November 2023, and prolific fundraising, may have given Spanberger the advantage needed to discourage any potential challengers from even trying, said Professor David Richards, chair of the political science department at the University of Lynchburg.
—Savannah Kuchar, USA Today, 18 June 2025
Perhaps women might just have a greater tendency to name-drop some of the above nonspecific symptoms while describing their situation—which could discourage doctors from fairly considering a ministroke diagnosis.
—Erica Sloan, SELF, 18 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for discourage
Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 19 June 2025
Trump officials have also discouraged some federal agencies from recognizing other racial heritage celebrations.
—Rebecca Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 19 June 2025
Her early jump into campaigning beginning in November 2023, and prolific fundraising, may have given Spanberger the advantage needed to discourage any potential challengers from even trying, said Professor David Richards, chair of the political science department at the University of Lynchburg.
—Savannah Kuchar, USA Today, 18 June 2025
Perhaps women might just have a greater tendency to name-drop some of the above nonspecific symptoms while describing their situation—which could discourage doctors from fairly considering a ministroke diagnosis.
—Erica Sloan, SELF, 18 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for discourage
Recent Examples of Synonyms for discourage
Verb
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Williams often got frustrated with him and told him to be quiet.—
Michael Cuglietta,
The Orlando Sentinel,
5 July 2025
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Body camera footage released after the demonstration showed police disagreed about the tactics and people were immediately frustrated with the response.—
David Ferrara,
The Enquirer,
2 July 2025
Verb
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Proponents of this change worry defamation lawsuits, or even the threat of defamation claims, further dissuades denomination leaders from a tougher, more outspoken posture against ministers accused of abuse.—
Liam Adams,
The Tennessean,
2 July 2025
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But neither issue dissuaded me from eating the whole thing.—
Keith Pandolfi,
The Enquirer,
2 July 2025
Verb
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Her longstanding reputation for being intimidating was thought to have inspired Miranda Priestly's character in The Devil Wears Prada, a book written by her former assistant Lauren Weisberger and later made into a movie starring Anne Hathaway and Meryl Streep.—
Colleen Kratofil,
People.com,
26 June 2025
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How Unions are Stepping in to Fill Governance Gaps Unions have observed that many workers feel intimidated by the technical nature of AI and are uneasy when discussing their concerns with their employers.—
Oludolapo Makinde,
Forbes.com,
26 June 2025
Verb
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This can deter casual applicants and lift offer-acceptance rates later as long as the content is accessible for all.—
Susan LaMotte,
Forbes.com,
2 July 2025
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The argument is that, if landlords and developers see a rent freeze, they would be deterred from investing in new affordable housing.—
John Cassidy,
New Yorker,
30 June 2025
Verb
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Understanding that misplacing items is a challenge daunting everyone – from reckless youth to sleepless parents, busy young adults, and the elderly – FindR stickers come in a kaleidoscope of sizes, colors, and finishes.—
Ethan Stone,
USA TODAY,
17 Jan. 2025
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Those hurdles don’t seem to be daunting Chinese carmakers, who exported 441,000 EVs, including hybrids, in the first quarter of this year, up more than 40% from the same period last year, according to the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers.—
Simone McCarthy,
CNN Money,
2 May 2025
Verb
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The woman inside banged pots and pans and screamed at the bear to try to frighten it away, officials said.—
Don Sweeney,
Sacbee.com,
25 June 2025
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Winston Churchill said the U-boat peril was the only thing that really frightened him during World War II.—
Carl Burdette,
Baltimore Sun,
22 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Discourage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/discourage. Accessed 9 Jul. 2025.
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