as in despair
the state of being discouraged
I tried desperately to avoid discouragement after failing the bar exam twice
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Recent Examples of discouragement
Stand strong in your plans and strategies for 2026 even if February and early March bring some discouragement.
—
Magi Helena, Dallas Morning News, 17 Jan. 2026
But to unmask the killer in a mansion filled with ticking clocks and suspects, amateur detective Eileen must first get round discouragement from Lady Caterham, played by Helena Bonham Carter, and Sherlock star Martin Freeman as superintendent Battle.
—Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 6 Jan. 2026
Keep your cool, adjust expectations, and don’t let discouragement bring you down during this early period of the year.
—Tribune Content Agency, Baltimore Sun, 4 Jan. 2026
Feelings of isolation, frustration, discouragement, anxiety, burnout, and anger are all common manifestations of diabetes distress, Diana Licalzi, RD, a certified diabetes educator and the cofounder of Reversing T2D, tells SELF.
—Beth Krietsch, SELF, 11 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for discouragement
Magi Helena, Dallas Morning News, 17 Jan. 2026
But to unmask the killer in a mansion filled with ticking clocks and suspects, amateur detective Eileen must first get round discouragement from Lady Caterham, played by Helena Bonham Carter, and Sherlock star Martin Freeman as superintendent Battle.
—Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 6 Jan. 2026
Keep your cool, adjust expectations, and don’t let discouragement bring you down during this early period of the year.
—Tribune Content Agency, Baltimore Sun, 4 Jan. 2026
Feelings of isolation, frustration, discouragement, anxiety, burnout, and anger are all common manifestations of diabetes distress, Diana Licalzi, RD, a certified diabetes educator and the cofounder of Reversing T2D, tells SELF.
—Beth Krietsch, SELF, 11 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for discouragement
Recent Examples of Synonyms for discouragement
Noun
-
The festival hopes to encourage artists and fans to turn to comedy, theater, creativity and community instead of despair.—
Candace Hansen,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Apr. 2026
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Resisting despair, both private and social, has long been central to Lerner’s mission.—
Giles Harvey,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Much to the dismay of White Sox fans, the team’s home opener was delayed Thursday, with the game postponed a day due to the aforementioned weather.—
Claire Malon,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Apr. 2026
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Speaking to the Star-Telegram, Ledet expressed dismay at how her son’s case has been handled from the beginning.—
Matthew Adams,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
3 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Discouragement.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/discouragement. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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