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
Relevance
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
Advertising was discouraged and even banned.
—
Johnny Dodd, PEOPLE, 6 Sep. 2025
Trump’s policies likely will continue to discourage hiring in the months ahead, forecasters say.
—Paul Davidson, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2025
Higher parking rates hurt low-wage workers, burden small businesses, and discourage both locals and tourists from coming downtown to shop, dine or attend special events.
—Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Sep. 2025
Days later, Kraft reportedly discouraged the Falcons from hiring Belichick as their next head coach.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 4 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for discourage
Johnny Dodd, PEOPLE, 6 Sep. 2025
Trump’s policies likely will continue to discourage hiring in the months ahead, forecasters say.
—Paul Davidson, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2025
Higher parking rates hurt low-wage workers, burden small businesses, and discourage both locals and tourists from coming downtown to shop, dine or attend special events.
—Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Sep. 2025
Days later, Kraft reportedly discouraged the Falcons from hiring Belichick as their next head coach.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 4 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for discourage
Recent Examples of Synonyms for discourage
Verb
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The more time went on, the more Mourinho grew visibly frustrated with his role at United.—
Carl Anka,
New York Times,
5 Sep. 2025
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What's Next The government faces steep socioeconomic and cultural headwinds that have frustrated other nations, and whether ending the two-child policy will make a significant difference on the trend remains uncertain.—
Micah McCartney,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Riley Keough tried to dissuade her late mother, Lisa Marie Presley, from suing her grandmother, Priscilla Presley.—
Wesley Stenzel,
Entertainment Weekly,
6 Sep. 2025
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Even the creaky visions that start to plague him, the terrifying nightmares (jump scares ahoy, and so many of them cheap) can’t dissuade Charles from taking up Anniston on the offer.—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Assaults by the Pagan’s Motorcycle Club are often committed in order to protect and expand territory, intimidate rivals, conceal members from law enforcement and advance extracurricular criminal projects, according to the 2024 indictment.—
Caroline Zimmerman,
Kansas City Star,
9 Sep. 2025
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Meanwhile, the President can use the National Guard to intimidate blue-state citizens, and no one can stop him; a mogul can shield billions in income from tax; and voters can find their districts redrawn overnight.—
Joshua Rothman,
New Yorker,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Leading the charge, Daniels assembled a group of local residents to form a neighborhood watch and deter trouble.—
David Ferrara,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
5 Sep. 2025
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Without intelligent systems to detect and deter these behaviors, brands are flying blind.—
Footwear News,
Footwear News,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Casting the kids alongside Ronan was daunting.—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
5 Sep. 2025
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Shopping for a new kitchen sink can be daunting since an incorrect decision can be expensive.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Judy Hernandez’ husband Raul, a co-founder of the community group the Resurrection Project, dismissed those plans as a political stunt geared to create fear and frighten Spanish-speaking people.—
Tess Kenny,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Sep. 2025
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Many of us are conditioned to think that our ultimate goal in life is to be with someone, so much so, that the mere thought of being alone frightens us.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
2 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Discourage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/discourage. Accessed 12 Sep. 2025.
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