discourage

verb

di-ˈskər-ij How to pronounce discourage (audio)
Definition of discouragenext
1
as in to frustrate
to lessen the courage or confidence of I didn't let losing discourage me from trying again

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to dissuade
to steer (a person) from an activity or course of action the higher fines may help discourage drivers from speeding on the highway

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of discourage For decades, players transferring had to sit out a year before playing for their new school, which discouraged transfers. — Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 23 Sep. 2026 The court also found that Weinstein had been unfairly discouraged from testifying in his own defense by the prospect that prosecutors could cross-examine him about uncharged allegations. — Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 23 Sep. 2026 The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation said this is done to discourage unlicensed deer hunting in Oklahoma, especially by non-resident deer hunters. — Josh Kelly, Oklahoman, 22 Sep. 2026 Either properly discouraged by the police presence or too damned hot to fight, people largely behaved. — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 20 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for discourage
Recent Examples of Synonyms for discourage
  1. frustrate
  2. dissuade
  3. intimidate
  4. deter
  5. daunt
  6. frighten
Verb
  • Kelly said that many Americans are frustrated with the Republican party and administration.
    — Isabel Danzis, ABC News, 27 Sep. 2026
  • Davies said she was frustrated that the fairly straightforward bill, which would have enabled the state to track the number and location of recovery homes, did not gain traction.
    — Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 26 Sep. 2026
Definition of frustrate
Verb
  • In May, Cloobeck was arrested and charged with three counts of attempting to dissuade a witness from testifying and one count of harassment for making annoying phone calls, according to a criminal complaint.
    — Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 17 Sep. 2026
  • The ease with which Murray operated on the field, even amid all of the developing noise, didn’t dissuade anyone from those initial impressions.
    — Alec Lewis, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of dissuade
Verb
  • The young actor can pull off the swagger and charisma required of a teenage Haymitch, but he was intimidated by the idea of taking on the character’s accent.
    — Rebecca Ford, Vanity Fair, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Those who use technology to harass, intimidate or torment others should understand that attempts to anonymize their criminal conduct will not shield them from prosecution.
    — David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of intimidate
Verb
  • To deter—and ultimately defeat—their adversaries, the United States and its allies must align their defense ecosystems.
    — Dan Driscoll, Foreign Affairs, 28 Sep. 2026
  • But Darius is not deterred, and keeps trying to make the shot.
    — Andy Hoglund, Entertainment Weekly, 27 Sep. 2026
Definition of deter
Verb
  • How To Begin Professionalizing Your Business Thinking about professionalizing your business is daunting, but the consequences of not doing so are worse.
    — Nellie Akalp, Forbes.com, 1 Oct. 2026
  • The father-son tale at the center was what drove Garelick to take on such a daunting project.
    — Miki Hellerbach, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of daunt
Verb
  • Families confronting a devastating diagnosis may already be frightened, grieving and overwhelmed.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 3 Oct. 2026
  • But Cardinale acknowledged layoffs would be part of the cost-cuts, a prospect that frightened many in Hollywood after endless waves of job cuts at the two companies.
    — Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of frighten

Browse Nearby Words

discounts
discourage
discouraged
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Discourage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/discourage. Accessed 4 Oct. 2026.

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