as in despair
the state of being discouraged
I tried desperately to avoid discouragement after failing the bar exam twice
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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
SpongeBob doesn’t stay stuck in discouragement or disappointment for long, but rather looks for something positive to focus on.
—
Liz Regalia, Parents, 31 Jan. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for discouragement
Liz Regalia, Parents, 31 Jan. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for discouragement
Recent Examples of Synonyms for discouragement
Noun
-
For Gordon Sheach, founder of Scotland fans’ website The Tartan Scarf, his first memory of football set the precedent for two decades of despair and disillusionment.—
Jordan Campbell,
New York Times,
3 June 2026
-
The pulse of Royals fans is despair as the season has gone off the rails.—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
1 June 2026
Noun
-
Much to Healey’s dismay, there is no green energy transition happening in Massachusetts.—
Jennifer Nassour,
Boston Herald,
4 June 2026
-
In April, the industry group expressed dismay at the FAA’s call to roll back hundreds of flights at Chicago O’Hare International Airport this summer to avoid worsening flight delays.—
Glenn Taylor,
Footwear News,
3 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Discouragement.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/discouragement. Accessed 9 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
