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
Plus, if a potential buyer has allergies, they might be discouraged from putting in an offer.
—
Quincy Bulin, Southern Living, 5 Oct. 2025
In fact, immunization is a dicey-enough financial proposition that the administration’s anti-vaccine policies already are discouraging providers from stocking some immunizations.
—Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 3 Oct. 2025
But solar advocates pushed back, warning that the changes would lengthen payback periods, discourage solar investment and undermine clean energy goals adopted by cities like Boise.
—Angela Palermo, Idaho Statesman, 2 Oct. 2025
Regardless, rising vaccine skepticism has discouraged parents from vaccinating their children against dangerous diseases.
—Suhail Bhat, USA Today, 2 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for discourage
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Quincy Bulin, Southern Living, 5 Oct. 2025
In fact, immunization is a dicey-enough financial proposition that the administration’s anti-vaccine policies already are discouraging providers from stocking some immunizations.
—Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 3 Oct. 2025
But solar advocates pushed back, warning that the changes would lengthen payback periods, discourage solar investment and undermine clean energy goals adopted by cities like Boise.
—Angela Palermo, Idaho Statesman, 2 Oct. 2025
Regardless, rising vaccine skepticism has discouraged parents from vaccinating their children against dangerous diseases.
—Suhail Bhat, USA Today, 2 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for discourage
Cite this Entry
“Discourage.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/discourage. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.
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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