DISCOURAGE Synonyms: 79 Similar and Opposite Words

discourage

verb

di-ˈskər-ij

Definition of discourage

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

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of discourage For decades, players transferring had to sit out a year before playing for their new school, which discouraged transfers. — Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 23 Sep. 2026 The court also found that Weinstein had been unfairly discouraged from testifying in his own defense by the prospect that prosecutors could cross-examine him about uncharged allegations. — Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 23 Sep. 2026 The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation said this is done to discourage unlicensed deer hunting in Oklahoma, especially by non-resident deer hunters. — Josh Kelly, Oklahoman, 22 Sep. 2026 Either properly discouraged by the police presence or too damned hot to fight, people largely behaved. — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 20 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for discourage

Recent Examples of Synonyms for discourage

Verb

Kelly said that many Americans are frustrated with the Republican party and administration.

— Isabel Danzis, ABC News, 27 Sep. 2026
Davies said she was frustrated that the fairly straightforward bill, which would have enabled the state to track the number and location of recovery homes, did not gain traction.

— Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 26 Sep. 2026

Definition of frustrate

Verb

In May, Cloobeck was arrested and charged with three counts of attempting to dissuade a witness from testifying and one count of harassment for making annoying phone calls, according to a criminal complaint.

— Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 17 Sep. 2026
The ease with which Murray operated on the field, even amid all of the developing noise, didn’t dissuade anyone from those initial impressions.

— Alec Lewis, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of dissuade

Verb

Forte said the scale of this tournament might shock and even intimidate anglers from other countries who have never witnessed the spectacle of an American fishing championship.

— Bryan Hendricks, Arkansas Online, 27 Sep. 2026
Dating back to the Ming Dynasty, the Chinese used the term paper tiger to describe someone who appears powerful and intimidating but ultimately poses little threat.

— Antonio Ferme, Variety, 26 Sep. 2026

Definition of intimidate

Verb

Speaking to reporters separately, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the challenge is daunting but not impossible to meet.

— Matthew Lee, Chicago Tribune, 24 Sep. 2026
Whoever succeeds Guterres faces a daunting set of challenges, ranging from climate change and AI regulation to internal battles over the organization’s future funding.

— Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 22 Sep. 2026

Definition of daunt

Verb

Come back to the conversation Whereas adults may be able to more quickly move on with their daily lives after feeling disturbed or frightened by upsetting media, children may experience more elevated and prolonged stress.

— Anahi Collado, The Conversation, 22 Sep. 2026
Last Friday, the artist Pink published a lengthy criticism of Macklemore’s on-stage polemic, writing that his comments and use of violent wartime imagery had frightened many Jewish people, including her.

— Caitlin Dewey, Vox, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of frighten

Browse Nearby Words

discounts

discourage

discouraged

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Style

“Discourage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/discourage. Accessed 2 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of discourage

verb

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