discouragement

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 Those types of plays transform the Bulls offense — cracking open a defensive setup, sending a jolt of discouragement through an opposing defender. Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 29 Mar. 2025 And finally, there were the states with no explicit prohibition on agricultural land rentals, but with strong discouragements of rentals through the establishment of lower-than-market maximum rental payments and minimum tenures for all rentals. Tim Hanstad, Foreign Affairs, 29 Apr. 2016 But comparing your financial journey to others’ successes can lead to discouragement. Brian Kelly, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025 Those types of plays transform the Bulls offense — cracking open a defensive setup, sending a jolt of discouragement through an opposing defender. Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 29 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for discouragement
Recent Examples of Synonyms for discouragement
Noun
  • Emond’s script deftly contrives a third act that’s hopeful but still flecked with genuine despair.
    Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 20 May 2025
  • But the despair from another losing fall subsided months ago, and winter, at last, has melted away.
    Matt Baker, New York Times, 14 May 2025
Noun
  • To the surprise of a few and the dismay of many, Mott elected to ship the Derby winner back to his Saratoga Springs base to train for the Belmont Stakes on June 7.
    Teresa Genaro, New York Times, 16 May 2025
  • Her father, much to her dismay, turned out to be partly responsible for the nuclear attacks that destroyed their world.
    EW.com, EW.com, 14 May 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Discouragement.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/discouragement. Accessed 25 May. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on discouragement

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!