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

That’s despite uncertainty about the economy and recent surveys showing Americans have become more discouraged about their finances. — Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026

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

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

Native children were often separated from their families and communities through boarding schools, where they were discouraged or prevented from speaking their Native languages and practicing their cultures. — Conor McGill, CBS News, 7 Nov. 2026

Last year, high interest rates and PresidentTrump’s unpredictable trade policies discouraged hiring. — Paul Wiseman, Los Angeles Times, 6 Nov. 2026

Education was discouraged, and church members burned their school certificates. — Rael Ombuor, Washington Post, 6 Nov. 2026

By comparison, the prewar sanctions that devastated Iran’s economy, hobbled its military, and discouraged it from seeking nuclear weapons were a bargain. — S. C. M. Paine, Foreign Affairs, 3 Nov. 2026

Ji-hyun’s parents briefly lived in Tokyo before going back to their home country, discouraged by the discrimination against Koreans that’s still pervasive in Japan today. — Katie Rife, IndieWire, 3 Nov. 2026

One card was from a Syrian woman whose family discouraged her from sitting for an on camera to share her experiences as a refugee – so Sachs settles for filming a tribute to the woman’s cooking skills. — Will Tizard, Variety, 27 Oct. 2026

The coroner strongly discouraged him from viewing the remains. — Nick Paumgarten, New Yorker, 26 Oct. 2026

Worshipers were discouraged from lingering outside synagogues after services. — Ariella Noveck, FOXNews.com, 20 Oct. 2026