DISCOURAGEMENT Synonyms: 19 Similar and Opposite Words

discouragement

noun

di-ˈskər-ij-mənt

Definition of discouragement

as in despair

the state of being discouraged I tried desperately to avoid discouragement after failing the bar exam twice

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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of discouragement However, according to our survey, nearly 80% of employees don't go through any kind of accommodation request process, stating concerns about retaliation or active discouragement from leadership. — Seth Turner, Forbes.com, 12 June 2026 More than 100 Manus employees moved into Meta’s Singapore offices in early March, CNBC has learned, signaling the controversial AI business deal has moved ahead despite Beijing’s discouragement. — Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 30 Mar. 2026 Be aware that this discouragement might not be based on solid facts, but rather on disappointed hopes and wishes. — Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 19 Mar. 2026 And given all the ambient discouragement against speaking up about this particular cause, solidarity isn’t just a buzzword. — Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 11 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for discouragement

Recent Examples of Synonyms for discouragement

Noun

That sense of despair could be because the album captured the band in a state of crisis.

— Sam Goldner, Pitchfork, 19 July 2026
Rayan Cherki captured the sense of shock and despair among the France players on a day when their World Cup dream died, in a 2-0 defeat to Spain that was as emphatic as the scoreline suggests.

— Stuart James, New York Times, 18 July 2026

Definition of despair

Noun

Incredibly, neither finalist was able to beat the Blue Sharks in 90 minutes of soccer – the nation also held Spain to a 0-0 draw in its opening group-stage fixture, much to the dismay of the above Spanish editor.

— Ben Church, CNN Money, 17 July 2026
Even Athena, if that genuinely is whom Zendaya is playing, isn’t that helpful, mostly staring at Odysseus in mute dismay.

— Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 15 July 2026

Definition of dismay

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discouraged

discouragement

discourages

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“Discouragement.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/discouragement. Accessed 24 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of discouragement

noun

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