DISCOURAGE Synonyms: 79 Similar and Opposite Words

discourage

verb

di-ˈskər-ij

Definition of discourage

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

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 The lengthy delay to the funeral has raised questions about how Khamenei's remains have been preserved, as Islamic tradition, anaylsts say, generally calls for prompt burial and discourages chemical embalming. — Emma Bussey, FOXNews.com, 2 July 2026 The watch converted into a diamond choker, its hands set to midnight, did not exactly discourage further investigation. — Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 2 July 2026 Employees also reported being required to work seven days a week, denied overtime pay, misclassified as independent contractors and discouraged from raising concerns about wages or treatment. — Jessica Alvarado Gamez, Denver Post, 2 July 2026 Conventional wisdom suggested that its political instability would discourage foreign capital while reinforcing China’s dominant commercial position. — Wesley Alexander Hill, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for discourage

Recent Examples of Synonyms for discourage

Verb

Belgium looked limited and frustrated, with Leandro Trossard and Youri Tielemans heading into the second-half hydration break in the middle of an angry argument.

— Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 5 July 2026
Its young people are increasingly educated and ambitious but many are frustrated over fierce competition for limited jobs.

— Ayushi Shah, CNN Money, 4 July 2026

Definition of frustrate

Verb

Still, with the new lottery system that dissuades (if not eliminates) tanking, the gimmes seem to be gone in the East.

— Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 4 July 2026
Ongoing uncertainty about the situation in Lebanon and fears of a new escalation have dissuaded many would-be pet owners from adopting, but some of Hamza's dogs have found new homes.

— ABC News, ABC News, 3 July 2026

Definition of dissuade

Verb

The parking at Krog Street Market can be intimidating, but there’s no need to try to navigate the valet or the small lot in the front of the market.

— Blair Crosby, AJC.com, 5 July 2026
The Oura Ring 4 has dropped to $399, cutting a cool $100 off the intimidating $499 list price.

— Kelsey Fogarty, PC Magazine, 4 July 2026

Definition of intimidate

Verb

Dozens of artists including Billie Eilish, Hozier and Noah Kahan have since used it to enable fan-to-fan trading while deterring scalpers.

— Lauren Schuster, Charlotte Observer, 6 July 2026
It’s caged in by the lantern’s design, which deters squirrels and also creates less of a mess.

— Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 July 2026

Definition of deter

Verb

But beyond any political opportunity the disaster may present Rodríguez, the government remains extremely weak, and the task of recovery after the earthquakes is daunting.

— Mauricio Torres, CNN Money, 8 July 2026
The size of the illicit market is daunting, McInerney said, but its scale does not detract from the value of each individual enforcement action.

— Andrew Graham, Sacbee.com, 8 July 2026

Definition of daunt

Verb

Fireworks can frighten animals and send them scattering, but Jackie and Shadow’s eaglets apparently are made of sterner stuff.

— Sandra McDonald, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
In those moments, what frightened her most was not her own safety but the knowledge that her husband was up there somewhere, flying in the same sky swarming with fighter planes dropping their bombs on Tehran.

— Mahsa Alimardani, Time, 6 July 2026

Definition of frighten

Browse Nearby Words

discounts

discourage

discouraged

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“Discourage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/discourage. Accessed 12 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of discourage

verb

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