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
This sub-tier was made for Joel Embiid last year, and I was discouraged with where the 2023 NBA MVP was in his knee injury recovery.
—
Law Murray, New York Times, 21 May 2026
The American Academy of Pediatrics discourages caffeine for kids under 12, and suggests a limit of 100 milligrams per day for teenagers.
—Rachel Hale, USA Today, 20 May 2026
That threat was clearly aimed at discouraging the West from allowing Ukraine to strike Russia with longer-range weapons and appears to significantly lower the threshold for the possible use of Russia’s nuclear arsenal.
—ABC News, 19 May 2026
Here’s how to discourage them from digging up your lawn and garden.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 19 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for discourage
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Law Murray, New York Times, 21 May 2026
The American Academy of Pediatrics discourages caffeine for kids under 12, and suggests a limit of 100 milligrams per day for teenagers.
—Rachel Hale, USA Today, 20 May 2026
That threat was clearly aimed at discouraging the West from allowing Ukraine to strike Russia with longer-range weapons and appears to significantly lower the threshold for the possible use of Russia’s nuclear arsenal.
—ABC News, 19 May 2026
Here’s how to discourage them from digging up your lawn and garden.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 19 May 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 21 May. 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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