discourage

verb

dis·​cour·​age di-ˈskər-ij How to pronounce discourage (audio)
-ˈskə-rij
discouraged; discouraging

transitive verb

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
discourageable adjective
discourager noun
discouragingly adverb

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 Advocates for disabled workers try to hold out hope but are discouraged. Paresh Dave, WIRED, 7 Mar. 2024 Her boss discouraged open and honest feedback, making her work environment feel toxic and disrespectful. Samantha Masunaga, Los Angeles Times, 4 Mar. 2024 Authorities from the National Weather Service to Caltrans and the California Highway Patrol have strongly discouraged travel through the mountains due to the storm through Sunday. Maya Miller, Sacramento Bee, 3 Mar. 2024 Bleak job prospects and intense corporate cultures are also discouraging to young adults who are in their child-bearing years. USA TODAY, 1 Mar. 2024 But why are we discouraged from expressing our genuine feelings? Mark Travers, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024 Historically, they have been discouraged from seeking full-time employment, with the Church urging them to lean into roles as mothers and homemakers. Ej Dickson, Rolling Stone, 1 Mar. 2024 Two recent studies demonstrated how such price setting harms patient wellbeing by discouraging innovation and encouraging incumbents to behave anticompetitively. Ge Bai, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2024 Accessibility: The stairs at the entrance and throughout the historic restaurant, which does not have ADA-compliant restrooms or an elevator, discourage wheelchair use. Tom Sietsema, Washington Post, 23 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'discourage.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of discourage was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near discourage

Cite this Entry

“Discourage.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/discourage. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

discourage

verb
dis·​cour·​age dis-ˈkər-ij How to pronounce discourage (audio)
-ˈkə-rij
discouraged; discouraging
1
: to lessen the courage or confidence of : dishearten
didn't let losing discourage me
2
a
: to make less likely or appealing : deter
laws that discourage speeding
b
: to advise against a course of action : dissuade
discouraged careless work
discouragingly adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on discourage

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