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 His ideas are later used to discourage violently spearing food with a knife, and instead promote the pacifist chopstick. — New York Times, 17 July 2026 For him, discouraging such behavior is a preventative measure that can help reduce human trafficking. — Alexa Newsom, Kansas City Star, 16 July 2026 The city announcement discouraged prolonged or strenuous outdoor activity and recommended people with heart or lung disease, older adults, children and teenagers keep outdoor activities brief, move physical activities indoors or reschedule them. — Maya Wilkins, Chicago Tribune, 16 July 2026 Google used its market position to discourage device makers from promoting or pre-loading non-Google app stores and attempted to hide that conduct. — Ryan Whitwam, ArsTechnica, 15 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for discourage

Recent Examples of Synonyms for discourage

Verb

In a 2022 request to interview Floris and Benavides, the senators said the episode frustrated and obstructed their oversight.

— Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 19 July 2026
Surprisingly, Cape Verde were the one team able to frustrate them, earning a 0-0 draw in the opening match.

— Dan Sheldon, New York Times, 17 July 2026

Definition of frustrate

Verb

Still, with the new lottery system that dissuades (if not eliminates) tanking, the gimmes seem to be gone in the East.

— Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 4 July 2026
Ongoing uncertainty about the situation in Lebanon and fears of a new escalation have dissuaded many would-be pet owners from adopting, but some of Hamza's dogs have found new homes.

— ABC News, ABC News, 3 July 2026

Definition of dissuade

Verb

Charlotte didn’t handle teams that push and use force to intimidate the opposition well this past season, often falling short in that department.

— Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 18 July 2026
But, for those who are dipping their toe into these massive markets for the first time, the experience can be overwhelming, even intimidating.

— Heather Bien, Southern Living, 18 July 2026

Definition of intimidate

Verb

But the marchers would not be deterred, pushing toward the Gaza perimeter while dodging barriers set up by the Israeli miliitary and police.

— Tal Shalev, CNN Money, 20 July 2026
According to people familiar with the meeting, Gantz insisted that Israeli troops had to move into Gaza immediately, both to extinguish the Hamas threat and to deter other enemies.

— David D. Kirkpatrick, New Yorker, 20 July 2026

Definition of deter

Verb

The prospect of deploying so many satellites is no longer daunting since the advent of lower-cost rocket launches driven by SpaceX, which has enabled the growing megaconstellations with thousands of satellites such as Starlink.

— Jeremy Hsu, ArsTechnica, 16 July 2026
Advertisement The challenges facing literature and reading are daunting.

— Jen Benka, Time, 14 July 2026

Definition of daunt

Verb

Fireworks can frighten animals and send them scattering, but Jackie and Shadow’s eaglets apparently are made of sterner stuff.

— Sandra McDonald, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
In those moments, what frightened her most was not her own safety but the knowledge that her husband was up there somewhere, flying in the same sky swarming with fighter planes dropping their bombs on Tehran.

— Mahsa Alimardani, Time, 6 July 2026

Definition of frighten

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discounts

discourage

discouraged

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“Discourage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/discourage. Accessed 23 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of discourage

verb

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