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
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Recent Examples of discourage
Over time, this discourages risk-taking and dynamism, pushing societies toward safety at the expense of innovation.
—
Ugo Troiano, Oc Register, 25 Oct. 2025
To discourage their existence, many people use the also ubiquitous black-box bait stations.
—Joy Williams, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025
The opposing view is that discouraging tourists could hurt local economies that rely on them.
—Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Oct. 2025
Both seek to be seen as in control of the social and political order and thereby to discourage dissent.
—Andrew Rojecki, The Conversation, 21 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for discourage
Ugo Troiano, Oc Register, 25 Oct. 2025
To discourage their existence, many people use the also ubiquitous black-box bait stations.
—Joy Williams, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025
The opposing view is that discouraging tourists could hurt local economies that rely on them.
—Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Oct. 2025
Both seek to be seen as in control of the social and political order and thereby to discourage dissent.
—Andrew Rojecki, The Conversation, 21 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for discourage
Recent Examples of Synonyms for discourage
Verb
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Faye is both highly supportive yet frustrated by the distant Springsteen, who showers her with love before disappearing into his music.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
23 Oct. 2025
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So when Luise was frustrated by her experiments with canvas one afternoon at MacDowell and threw her scraps into her studio’s fireplace, Morton was there to witness the epiphany that followed.—
Grace Edquist,
Vogue,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
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That information might have dissuaded the Heat from pursuing a trade for Rozier.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
25 Oct. 2025
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Last week, Phypers was arrested in court and charged with four felonies — two counts of injuring a spouse and two counts of dissuading a witness by force or threat.—
Sarah Sotoodeh,
FOXNews.com,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
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But hiring off-duty cops to intimidate and extort victims, or throw them in jail, represented a significant escalation.—
Jesse Hyde,
Rolling Stone,
21 Oct. 2025
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While attempting a new hairstyle can feel a bit intimidating, Taylor encourages experimentation and reminds us that curls come in various shapes, patterns, and sizes.—
Essence,
Essence,
21 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Historically, people disguised themselves in mystical and mythical ensembles time of year in order to confuse ghosts and deter them from wreaking havoc; the Celts even carved faces into vegetables to keep the entities away from their food.—
Lisa Stardust,
Vogue,
23 Oct. 2025
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Perceptions may deter you, but the reality is that opening your home and your heart to one of the 3,448 children waiting for a home can truly change that young person’s life.—
Laura Rivera,
Denver Post,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Baltimore's schedule was daunting in the first four weeks of the season, and the team went 1-3 as quarterback Lamar Jackson suffered a hamstring injury in a 37-20 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 4.—
Jordan Sigler,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Oct. 2025
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Al Drago—Getty Images For Weld Food Bank in Colorado, the possibility of SNAP delays is daunting and has staffers concerned for the future.—
Callum Sutherland,
Time,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
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When the Maitlands' attempts to frighten the Deetzes away fail miserably, Barbara and Adam turn to the mysterious and mischievous Beetlejuice (Michael Keaton) to rid them of the living.—
Steven Thrash,
Entertainment Weekly,
25 Oct. 2025
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Around 100 pairs were found abandoned on the roof, perhaps due to the thieves being frightened away, Sheriff John Budensiek said at the news conference.—
Mark Price,
Miami Herald,
23 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Discourage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/discourage. Accessed 28 Oct. 2025.
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