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

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

Using equipment or machinery that could create a spark is also discouraged. — Tim Fang, CBS News, 27 Aug. 2026

Advertising was minimal, and displays of enthusiasm were politely discouraged. — Ben Ryder Howe, Curbed, 21 Aug. 2026

Verb

If millions still want children but are discouraged from having them, then the fertility slump marks a substantial social failure. — Margaret Talbot, New Yorker, 21 Sep. 2026

Either properly discouraged by the police presence or too damned hot to fight, people largely behaved. — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 20 Sep. 2026

These policies—or the lack of them—have harmed long-range educational and employment outcomes, eroded public health, entrenched inequality, discouraged couples from having children, and stressed the bejesus out of parents. — Annie Lowrey, The Atlantic, 17 Sep. 2026

Anything beyond loud noise is discouraged, and perhaps feared by those in charge at Ole Miss, given how emotional Kiffin’s return will be. — Joe Rexrode, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026

During a Wednesday press conference, Mamdani discouraged the public from traversing through lower Manhattan on Friday. — Robert McGreevy, FOXNews.com, 9 Sep. 2026

The law has in some cases discouraged people, and especially women, from wanting to marry at a time when Japan’s birth rate has fallen to dangerously low levels. — Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 3 Sep. 2026

Idea futures would undermine the institutional clout of skeptical old physicists with tenure—monetizing, promoting, and rewarding bold claims discouraged by mainstream consensus. — Finn Brunton, Harpers Magazine, 1 Sep. 2026

Washington has discouraged Chinese firms from investing in the United States and expanded the list of American products that cannot be exported to China. — Chad P. Bown, Foreign Affairs, 1 Sep. 2026