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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of discourage
Any effort that artificially redirects investment — whether by encouraging or discouraging specific businesses — distorts that balance and weakens our energy grid’s long-term resilience, which is already deeply in need of investment.
—
Mario Lopez, Boston Herald, 29 May 2025
The results discouraged new ventures into paraparticles for decades, with one exception.
—Shalma Wegsman, Wired News, 25 May 2025
But by venturing deeper into Pakistan and hitting a broad array of targets, India also wanted to reestablish deterrence and discourage Pakistan’s military from backing militant groups active in Indian territory.
—Aqil Shah, Foreign Affairs, 23 May 2025
Dimon, a heavyweight of traditional finance, has consistently used his perch to discourage regular investors and other financial leaders from getting involved.
—Andrew R. Chow, Time, 20 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for discourage
Mario Lopez, Boston Herald, 29 May 2025
The results discouraged new ventures into paraparticles for decades, with one exception.
—Shalma Wegsman, Wired News, 25 May 2025
But by venturing deeper into Pakistan and hitting a broad array of targets, India also wanted to reestablish deterrence and discourage Pakistan’s military from backing militant groups active in Indian territory.
—Aqil Shah, Foreign Affairs, 23 May 2025
Dimon, a heavyweight of traditional finance, has consistently used his perch to discourage regular investors and other financial leaders from getting involved.
—Andrew R. Chow, Time, 20 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for discourage
Recent Examples of Synonyms for discourage
Verb
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His Democratic Party predecessor, Moon Jae-in, had three years with a near supermajority in the legislature but had his agenda frustrated by party colleagues with little appetite for painful corrective measures.—
Charlie Campbell,
Time,
29 May 2025
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Musk was reportedly frustrated about OpenAI being part of the deal and allegedly warned G42 officials on a call that Trump would not sign off on a deal unless his company xAI was included.—
Siladitya Ray,
Forbes.com,
29 May 2025
Verb
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Image Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries by Heather Fawcett Don’t let Emily Wilde’s practical-seeming diary entries dissuade you: Fawcett’s novel, the first book in a series, is witty, frank and incredibly endearing.—
Ashley Poston,
New York Times,
21 May 2025
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The dissuading a witness charge against the father stems from what the prosecution said allegedly happened after the boy stopped breathing and his mother carried his limp body upstairs.—
Rosalio Ahumada,
Sacbee.com,
14 May 2025
Verb
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Swatting is the criminal practice of calling law enforcement, particularly Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team, to someone's house in order to harass or intimidate them.—
Hannah Parry,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 June 2025
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As intimidating as the private equity process may be for franchisors, the jargon and statistics that are a part of everyday franchise life are just as opaque to investors.—
Patrick Galleher,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2025
Verb
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However, a slew of challenges arise, deterring their relationship — and hilarity ensues.—
Emily Burns,
Footwear News,
29 May 2025
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Currently, 28,500 American troops are stationed in South Korea as part of a longstanding commitment to deter threats from North Korea.—
Amanda Castro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 May 2025
Verb
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Understanding that misplacing items is a challenge daunting everyone – from reckless youth to sleepless parents, busy young adults, and the elderly – FindR stickers come in a kaleidoscope of sizes, colors, and finishes.—
Ethan Stone,
USA TODAY,
17 Jan. 2025
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Those hurdles don’t seem to be daunting Chinese carmakers, who exported 441,000 EVs, including hybrids, in the first quarter of this year, up more than 40% from the same period last year, according to the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers.—
Simone McCarthy,
CNN Money,
2 May 2025
Verb
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On May 18, Palmer and the cast attended the Shadyside High Senior Prom ’88 experience as guests explored versions of the gymnasium, lockers, girls’ bathroom and more locations designed to frighten fans.—
Ryan Gajewski,
HollywoodReporter,
23 May 2025
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What to know The Astra channel said that Tokarev, head of the military medical commission of the Ministry of Internal Affairs in Sevastopol, got frightened during an air raid alarm overnight on May 1 sparked by a Ukrainian drone barrage.—
Brendan Cole,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Discourage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/discourage. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
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