discourage

play

verb dis·cour·age \dis-ˈkər-ij, -ˈkə-rij\

Definition of discourage

discouraged

;

discouraging

transitive verb
1 : to deprive of courage or confidence : dishearten was discouraged by repeated failure
2a : to hinder by disfavoring trying to discourage absenteeismb : to dissuade or attempt to dissuade from doing something tried to discourage her from going

discourageable

play \-jə-bəl\ adjective

discourager

noun

discouragingly

play \-jiŋ-lē\ adverb

See discourage defined for English-language learners

See discourage defined for kids

Examples of discourage in a Sentence

Try not to let losing discourage you.
The area's dry climate discourages agriculture.
He claims the new regulations will discourage investment.
That type of behavior ought to be discouraged.

Recent Examples of discourage from the Web

In private, journalists and politicians worry that harsh laws making blasphemy punishable by death, which have inspired more than one murderous vigilante attack, are being left in place to discourage dissent in general.

— The Economist, "The pushmi-pullyuWhat makes Pakistan so unfathomable," 22 July 2017
Don’t get discouraged with how many likes on social media, don’t compare yourself to others on social media, just be true to your own sense of style and talent.

— margaret anne fuller, Southern Living, "Q & A with Holly Hollon," 11 July 2017
Its dietary code discourages the use of alcohol, caffeine and tobacco.

— erin blakemore, Smithsonian, "Utah Just Did Away With Liquor-Hiding “Curtains”," 5 July 2017
For Julia de la Rosa, who runs a bed and breakfast called La Rosa de Ortega with her husband Silvio Ortega, the potential for fewer American visitors is discouraging.

— mimi whitefield, miamiherald, "Cuban entrepreneurs brace for President Trump's new Cuba policy," 3 July 2017
That stereotype can discourage people from getting help and propagate the misconception that eating disorders are lifestyle choices instead of serious illnesses.

— vera papisova, Teen Vogue, "Eating Disorder Expert Explains "To The Bone" Backlash," 29 June 2017
For those buying insurance on the individual market, CBO says some who would otherwise be insured under current law would be discouraged from buying it under the Senate bill.

— eugene kiely, USA TODAY, "Fact check: Spinning the CBO insurance estimate," 28 June 2017
Kelly’s executive producer, David Corvo, had set the ratings bar low before Sunday Night even aired, but the numbers remain discouraging.

— sarah ellison, The Hive, "Can Megyn Kelly Outrun Her NBC “Nightmare”?," 27 June 2017
This will have a chilling effect on smaller employers and discourage them from offering coverage that includes abortion.

— midwin charles, Essence.com, "6 Devastating Ways The Senate Health Care Bill Will Affect Black Women," 24 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'discourage.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of discourage

Middle English discoragen, from Middle French descorager, from Old French descoragier, from des- dis- + corage courage

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

See Words from the same year

DISCOURAGE Defined for English Language Learners

discourage

play

verb

Definition of discourage for English Language Learners

: to make (someone) less determined, hopeful, or confident
: to make (something) less likely to happen
: to try to make people not want to do (something)

DISCOURAGE Defined for Kids

discourage

play

verb dis·cour·age \dis-ˈkər-ij\

Definition of discourage for Students

discouraged

;

discouraging

1 : to make less determined, hopeful, or confident Yet another failed attempt didn't discourage him.
2 : to make less likely to happen The law discourages speeding.
3 : to try to persuade not to do something Don't let them discourage you from trying out.