Synonyms of discouraged

discouraged 1 of 2

adjective

1

as in prohibited

Related Words

• prohibited
• forbidden
• disallowed
• outlawed
• proscribed
• barred
• unauthorized
• banned
• unlicensed
• criminalized
• interdicted
• unapproved
• unsanctioned
• contraband
• smuggled
• improper
• illicit
• illegal
• under-the-table
• criminal
• wrongful
• unlawful
• felonious
• bootleg
• under-the-counter
• illegitimate

Dissimilar Words

• permitted
• authorized
• licensed
• endorsed
• approved
• allowed
• promoted
• supported
• suggested
• correct
• proper
• encouraged
• legal
• sanctioned
• legitimate
• lawful
• decent
• decorous
• abetted
• seemly

2

as in disheartened

Related Words

• disheartened
• disappointed
• dispirited
• unhappy
• depressed
• dejected
• sad
• saddened
• heartbroken
• downcast
• abject
• heartsick
• crestfallen
• disconsolate
• downhearted
• gloomy
• sorrowful
• brokenhearted
• miserable
• inconsolable
• desperate
• glum
• joyless
• sorry
• melancholy
• woebegone
• doleful
• mournful
• woeful
• hopeless
• blue
• despairing
• despondent
• hangdog
• low-spirited
• wailing
• grieving
• down
• weeping
• wretched
• forlorn
• low
• heartsore
• depressing
• pessimistic
• cheerless
• dismal
• cynical
• bleak
• dreary
• desolate
• comfortless
• dark
• resigned
• accepting
• funereal
• drear

Dissimilar Words

• optimistic
• hopeful
• ecstatic
• exuberant
• exultant
• euphoric
• enraptured
• encouraged
• merry
• jolly
• gay
• jovial
• elated
• exhilarated
• mirthful
• blithe
• happy
• glad
• entranced
• cheerful
• lively
• delighted
• joyful
• joyous
• animated
• perky
• vivacious
• jubilant
• buoyant
• sprightly
• upbeat
• heartened
• gleeful
• jocund
• cheery
• jaunty
• blithesome
• blissful
• lightsome
• sunny
• chipper
• sprightful
• gladdened
• gladsome

discouraged

2 of 2

verb

past tense of discourage

1

as in frustrated

to lessen the courage or confidence of

I didn't let losing discourage me from trying again

Synonyms & Similar Words

• frustrated
• disheartened
• daunted
• intimidated
• dismayed
• frightened
• scared
• dispirited
• unnerved
• demoralized
• worried
• horrified
• bothered
• troubled
• afflicted
• tried
• saddened
• chilled
• cowed
• bullied
• threw cold water on
• depressed
• weighed
• distressed
• unmanned
• irked
• weakened
• browbeat
• undermined
• vexed
• debilitated
• deadened
• enfeebled
• dampened
• damped

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• encouraged
• cheered
• enforced
• reinforced
• emboldened
• heartened
• assured
• animated
• strengthened
• excited
• nerved
• inspired
• stimulated
• reassured
• steeled
• lifted
• fortified
• gladdened
• buoyed (up)
• invigorated
• enlivened
• provoked
• energized
• stirred
• rallied
• galvanized
• quickened
• boosted

2

as in dissuaded

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

• dissuaded
• deterred
• inhibited
• diverted
• repelled
• unsold

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• encouraged
• persuaded
• urged
• exhorted
• induced
• prodded
• prompted
• goaded
• impelled
• egged (on)

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of discouraged

Adjective

While unemployment is low, that’s only because those losing their jobs are leaving the workforce, too discouraged to look for a job, as few businesses are hiring. — Ted Johnson, Deadline, 7 Aug. 2026

That — those 18-year-olds, a lot of them are deeply discouraged about the country. — NBC news, 2 Aug. 2026

Before that, as writer McKay Coppins pointed out in The Atlantic a few months ago, gambling had been highly regulated and generally discouraged in the United States. — The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 27 July 2026

If drinking is to be further discouraged, governments should therefore take care to promote social interaction and community building in other, non-intoxicating ways. — Tim Brinkhof, Time, 23 July 2026

Camping in an open setting during a thunderstorm is strongly discouraged. — Bay Area Weather Report, Mercury News, 14 July 2026

When a manager conveys this, employees hear that new ideas are unwelcome and innovation is discouraged. — Kate Wieczorek, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026

And most of all, don't get discouraged. — Charles Trepany, USA Today, 9 June 2026

But those searches often left her feeling discouraged rather than hopeful. — Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 7 June 2026

Verb

Some have also argued that concerns about being perceived as racist discouraged earlier scrutiny of the allegations. — Inaya Folarin Iman, CBS News, 6 Aug. 2026

Officials have argued the legislation will expand housing options for families who lost their homes while reconstruction continues, replacing legal restrictions that many property owners said had discouraged rentals for years. — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 4 Aug. 2026

The poem is rife with open meanings; however, its principal question is important for anyone who has felt slighted or discouraged from conducting their lives with reverie. — Literary Hub, 27 July 2026

Broad testing of people without symptoms or meaningful risk factors is discouraged. — Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 25 July 2026

Don’t be discouraged — reassess the trajectory of your goals and dreams. — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 25 July 2026

The actress once discouraged a photographer from editing her wrinkles out of a favorite picture. — Marina Watts, Entertainment Weekly, 25 July 2026

François never seriously considered joining the family business—and in his branch doing so was actively discouraged. — Jordan Blum, Fortune, 24 July 2026

Traditional attitudes towards work also discouraged employees from taking holidays, as holidays were seen as a kind of privilege rather than a contractual right, Brown adds. — Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 23 July 2026