discourage
verb
dis·cour·age
di-ˈskər-ij 
-ˈskə-rij
discouraged; discouraging
1
: to deprive of courage or confidence : dishearten
was discouraged by repeated failure
2
a
: to hinder by disfavoring
trying to discourage absenteeism
b
: to dissuade or attempt to dissuade from doing something
tried to discourage her from going
discourager
noun
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 on the Web
But Bart is hypervigilant about his son’s fragile health and tries to discourage him from joining the band on the road.
—
Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 21 Feb. 2026
The organization’s rebuild has centered on evaluation through competition, not avoidance of it, and a league-wide move toward discouraging manipulation would make that philosophy less of an outlier.
—C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 20 Feb. 2026
Although students already have the right to pray and read religious texts in public schools, Hasenbeck, who is running as a GOP candidate for state superintendent, contended some districts discourage prayer and Bible studies out of fear of being sued.
—Nuria Martinez-Keel, Oklahoma Voice, 20 Feb. 2026
Research shows there are still health benefits with fewer than 10,000 steps, and setting goals that are too difficult to reach can discourage you from continuing to walk regularly.
—Heather Jones, Verywell Health, 20 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for discourage
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Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 21 Feb. 2026
The organization’s rebuild has centered on evaluation through competition, not avoidance of it, and a league-wide move toward discouraging manipulation would make that philosophy less of an outlier.
—C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 20 Feb. 2026
Although students already have the right to pray and read religious texts in public schools, Hasenbeck, who is running as a GOP candidate for state superintendent, contended some districts discourage prayer and Bible studies out of fear of being sued.
—Nuria Martinez-Keel, Oklahoma Voice, 20 Feb. 2026
Research shows there are still health benefits with fewer than 10,000 steps, and setting goals that are too difficult to reach can discourage you from continuing to walk regularly.
—Heather Jones, Verywell Health, 20 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for discourage
Cite this Entry
“Discourage.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/discourage. Accessed 23 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
discourage
verb
dis·cour·age
dis-ˈkər-ij
-ˈkə-rij
discouraged; discouraging
1
: to lessen the courage or confidence of : dishearten
didn't let losing discourage me
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