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

The hotel is very grown up, and therefore not exactly relaxing with very young kids (or, at least, not with my kid)—although children are not discouraged. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026

The record-high stock prices are helping investors feel better about their finances, or at least less bad, when Americans are generally feeling discouraged about keeping up with the fast-rising cost of living. — Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2026

Much of the general public, however, hasn’t caught up to these developments, which remain strongly discouraged and criticized by the abstinence support group space — especially proponents of AA. — Kristen Rogers, CNN Money, 18 Sep. 2026

An eighth grader feeling discouraged after spring break, who becomes excited about attending because an airline pilot is presenting at his school. — Chicago Tribune, 15 Sep. 2026

That won't make the long flight home any easier, but the season is too new for the Rams to be truly discouraged. — ABC News, 11 Sep. 2026

After months of working toward the end of chemotherapy, hearing that another treatment may be recommended can be a lot to absorb, leaving patients potentially discouraged and confused. — Emily Cegielski, Flow Space, 9 Sep. 2026

Young reporters like Steinem were allowed to write stories only about women's topics, such as recipes and clothes; writing about issues that actually influenced women's lives was discouraged. — Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2026

For an heir to the throne, however, marrying a woman without royal blood or a noble title was discouraged. — Stefania Conrieri, Vanity Fair, 28 Aug. 2026

Verb

When several of the women refused to surrender the children to Xuan and Zhang after abuse allegations surfaced last year, Majerus said, the couple’s attorney discouraged them from fighting for custody. — James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026

You would likely be discouraged from doing so, and sometimes restrained by the governing laws. — Ozan Ozerk, Forbes.com, 13 Oct. 2026

According to Vinatieri, Democrats are discouraged by Shapiro’s changing data center stance. — Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 11 Oct. 2026

The question the hosts were debating, by pointing to a specific subset of one immigrant group, was precisely how incompatible Indian Americans were with American culture, and by what degree Indian immigration should be discouraged. — Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 10 Oct. 2026

Faith didn’t sign up for acting lessons, instead taking the advice from director Shana Feste (Country Strong), who actually discouraged her from doing so. — Marissa R. Moss, Rolling Stone, 10 Oct. 2026

The expert panel also found insufficient data to set strict healthy reference ranges for the abundance of individual microbial species, and discouraged testing companies from offering therapeutic advice based on results. — Ashley Lynch, Charlotte Observer, 6 Oct. 2026

The panel also said there isn’t enough information to establish strict healthy reference ranges for the abundance of individual microbial species, and discouraged testing companies from providing therapeutic advice based on results. — Ashley Lynch, Sacbee.com, 6 Oct. 2026

The report also cited parents who said the investigations discouraged them from speaking publicly. — Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 5 Oct. 2026