discouraged 1 of 2

Definition of discouragednext

discouraged

2 of 2

verb

past tense of discourage

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 discouraged
Adjective
Camping in an open setting during a thunderstorm is strongly discouraged. Bay Area Weather Report, Mercury News, 18 Feb. 2026 Travel in avalanche terrain is strongly discouraged during periods of high avalanche danger. Callie Zanandrie, CBS News, 17 Feb. 2026 Camping in an open setting during a thunderstorm is strongly discouraged. Southern California Weather Report, Daily News, 16 Feb. 2026 Mountain travel was highly discouraged, according to the weather service, with snow reducing visibility, causing major delays and prompting chain controls likely on Interstate 80 and other mountain passes. Michael McGough 14, Sacbee.com, 14 Feb. 2026 Lean into the power of your mind to recognize patterns to avoid becoming discouraged. Magi Helena, Dallas Morning News, 14 Feb. 2026 Those of us who volunteered for his campaign felt discouraged, yet hopeful. Literary Hub, 9 Feb. 2026 Students become discouraged, fail courses, drop classes, or take longer to complete their degrees than expected. Andrea Mays, Oc Register, 8 Feb. 2026 Under level 1, no roads are closed but unnecessary travel is discouraged. David Ferrara, Cincinnati Enquirer, 28 Jan. 2026
Verb
Some social media comments suggested that a Sunday afternoon start and ticket prices that were said to start at $900 discouraged people from showing up. Jim Alexander, Oc Register, 16 Feb. 2026 The White House and Vance’s office have discouraged speculation regarding why Vance did not go to Munich. Naomi Lim, The Washington Examiner, 14 Feb. 2026 Even so, he was discouraged from pursuing a career in music. Jim Dudlicek, Chicago Tribune, 11 Feb. 2026 Some borrowers have become discouraged by the wait, experts say. Annie Nova, CNBC, 9 Feb. 2026 True personal data sovereignty requires systems that make compelled access technically impossible, not merely contractually discouraged. Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 5 Feb. 2026 Reports ahead of the game suggested the NFL had discouraged the gesture, though the league disputed that account. Dallas Morning News, 4 Feb. 2026 Circumstances may force you to change course without warning, so if conversations escalate (or your emotions feel stronger than usual), don’t be discouraged. Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 3 Feb. 2026 Winston says artists weren’t discouraged from talking about politics in their speeches. Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 2 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for discouraged
Adjective
  • There is, however, room for questions about where the line between prohibited and acceptable political involvement will fall in practice.
    BrieAnna J. Frank, USA Today, 11 July 2025
  • The list of prohibited and restricted items, as found on the CBP website, includes alcohol, biological materials, firearms, food and produce such as fruits and vegetables, soil, wildlife, fish, and gold, among other items.
    Dan Perry, Newsweek, 28 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • After the vote, Alessandra Stivelman and Alex Alonso, attorneys representing the residents of a neighboring condo building, said they were frustrated with how the meeting played out.
    Catherine Odom, Miami Herald, 20 Feb. 2026
  • Hill leaders want to shelter vulnerable members who have to face voters frustrated over the cost of living.
    Eleanor Mueller, semafor.com, 20 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • What To Do Instead Hopefully by now you’ve been dissuaded from ever using the self-cleaning function again.
    Hallie Milstein, Southern Living, 4 Feb. 2026
  • The mother who worked at the downtown hotel would not be dissuaded, even when several others from school intervened.
    Emily Witt, New Yorker, 30 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • Women, whether secular or religious, remain forbidden to read, write or tell stories.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 5 Feb. 2026
  • One of Japan’s most beloved television personalities — and a perennial favorite-host winner — Matsuko brings her sharp insight and commanding presence to a forbidden auction staged in a mysterious underground space.
    Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 27 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • But obviously, a little disappointed.
    Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 15 Feb. 2026
  • Rightly disappointed, Warren wasn’t entirely terrified.
    Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 14 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • The program’s recent struggles disheartened him.
    Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 9 Feb. 2026
  • After a lot of research, a little disheartened.
    Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 4 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Journalists at today’s Sunny Dancer presser wouldn’t be deterred.
    Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 13 Feb. 2026
  • Fear of imprisonment had not deterred him from reactivating his network in January, shortly after a gunman sprayed him with plastic pellets in Tehran.
    Cora Engelbrecht, New Yorker, 11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Immediately, a dispirited city administration came to life, with particular focus on quality-of-life issues affecting residents and visitors.
    Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 7 Jan. 2026
  • People should be more excited and less dispirited about artificial intelligence, according to billionaire Amazon founder Jeff Bezos.
    Ashton Jackson, CNBC, 17 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Discouraged.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/discouraged. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.

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