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
The practice has been around for decades but surged in popularity after post-2008 financial crisis regulations discouraged banks from serving riskier borrowers.
—
Hugh Son, CNBC, 23 Jan. 2026
TxDOT strongly discourages travel when snow or ice is on the road, and the same goes for airports.
—Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Jan. 2026
Patel said the experience did not discourage her from staying in the race but was still emotionally painful.
—Nora O'Neill, Charlotte Observer, 23 Jan. 2026
Road precautions The EMSA strongly discourages any type of travel, including driving, due to icy road conditions.
—Isa Almeida, Oklahoman, 22 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for discourage
Hugh Son, CNBC, 23 Jan. 2026
TxDOT strongly discourages travel when snow or ice is on the road, and the same goes for airports.
—Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Jan. 2026
Patel said the experience did not discourage her from staying in the race but was still emotionally painful.
—Nora O'Neill, Charlotte Observer, 23 Jan. 2026
Road precautions The EMSA strongly discourages any type of travel, including driving, due to icy road conditions.
—Isa Almeida, Oklahoman, 22 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for discourage
Recent Examples of Synonyms for discourage
Verb
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Analysts pointed out that investors may have also been frustrated by AMD's lack of new customer announcements.—
Lisa Kailai Han,
CNBC,
4 Feb. 2026
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Outside of public transit, Muns highlighted the city’s work on Plano’s roads to improve transportation for residents — road work that has frustrated some.—
Lilly Kersh,
Dallas Morning News,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
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If some companies, like BP and Total acquiesced, others like Exxon and Conoco packed up and left, writing off $billions and filing international arbitration claims that dissuaded many firms from seeking to establish operations in the country.—
Scott Montgomery,
Forbes.com,
25 Jan. 2026
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There’s nothing like the threats of Sasquatch coming into the theater, stuffing you in a sleeping bag and beating you against a tree in one of their Don’t Talk PSAs to dissuade you from using your phone.—
Lisa Boone,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Homemade caramel frosting can be intimidating for novice bakers, but a Caramel Cake is practically a required guest at the church supper.—
Josh Miller,
Southern Living,
1 Feb. 2026
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The nurses interviewed by AP said they felt intimidated by ICE’s presence in the critical care unit and had even been told to avoid a certain bathroom to minimize encounters with officers.—
Jack Brook,
Los Angeles Times,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Holding federal agents accountable will deter future abuses of power.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Feb. 2026
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Councilmember Cheylynda Barnard, who authored the motion, expressed frustration with claims that a pause would deter businesses and result in job losses.—
Melissa Gomez,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The economic barriers are as daunting as the cultural ones.—
Lilian Raji,
Forbes.com,
30 Jan. 2026
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Deep cleaning your oven can be an exhaustive, daunting task that, let’s face it, no one really wants to do.—
Daley Quinn,
Southern Living,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Fernando Najera, director of the California Carnivores Program at UC Davis, said that recent experience showed that mountain lions can learn not to be afraid of technology that once worked to frighten them away from people and livestock.—
Sharon Bernstein,
Sacbee.com,
28 Jan. 2026
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Her hysteria frightens me and demands to be taken care of.—
Stephanie Sengwe,
PEOPLE,
28 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Discourage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/discourage. Accessed 6 Feb. 2026.
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