1
as in to frustrate
to lessen the courage or confidence of
I didn't let losing discourage me from trying again
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to dissuade
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of discourage
On that front, there were discouraging news reports over the past weekend suggesting that Tesla is pushing back the production of its lower-cost Model Y by at least three months.
—
Bloomberg, Mercury News, 22 Apr. 2025
The standstill is discouraging for the French company which has been expanding its cottonized hemp program—90 percent of their denim mill clients were exhibiting at the show—and building buzz for Smart Linen.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 21 Apr. 2025
On top of all these reasons, growing uncertainty about the direction the U.S. economy is taking is discouraging Americans from making big decisions like purchasing a home and relocating to a new place.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Apr. 2025
In Maui, while some of the island’s celebrity homeowners initially discouraged visitors from returning, the region was welcoming people back two months after the wildfires, says Kalani Kaʻanāʻanā, chief stewardship officer at the Hawaii Tourism Authority.
—Shoshi Parks, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for discourage
Bloomberg, Mercury News, 22 Apr. 2025
The standstill is discouraging for the French company which has been expanding its cottonized hemp program—90 percent of their denim mill clients were exhibiting at the show—and building buzz for Smart Linen.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 21 Apr. 2025
On top of all these reasons, growing uncertainty about the direction the U.S. economy is taking is discouraging Americans from making big decisions like purchasing a home and relocating to a new place.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Apr. 2025
In Maui, while some of the island’s celebrity homeowners initially discouraged visitors from returning, the region was welcoming people back two months after the wildfires, says Kalani Kaʻanāʻanā, chief stewardship officer at the Hawaii Tourism Authority.
—Shoshi Parks, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for discourage
Recent Examples of Synonyms for discourage
Verb
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What frustrates you most about navigating love in the digital age?—
Kyle Denis,
Billboard,
25 Apr. 2025
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Piastri and his camp, led by steely former F1 racer Mark Webber, were frustrated with Alpine’s slow progress towards his F1 graduation.—
Alex Kalinauckas,
New York Times,
24 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Beijing also sought to dissuade other ethnic armed organizations from working with the NUG and instructed them to negotiate with the junta.—
Ye Myo Hein,
Foreign Affairs,
17 Apr. 2025
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Italy tries to dissuade Trump All eyes are meanwhile on Italy’s Prime Minister Georgia Meloni, who is meeting President Trump on Thursday.—
Silvia Amaro,
CNBC,
16 Apr. 2025
Verb
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And since cleaning with bleach can be intimidating (ever have a load of laundryruined thanks to leftover bleach in the washing machine?), denture tablets can be a safer, easier alternative to getting your whites back to bright.—
Amy Brightfield,
Better Homes & Gardens,
17 Apr. 2025
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James, through a spokesperson, said she will not be intimidated.—
Alexis Simendinger,
The Hill,
17 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Clarify What’s Allowed Uncertainty about what’s permitted can deter experimentation—especially among women, who are more likely to follow formal rules.—
Corinne Post,
Forbes.com,
23 Apr. 2025
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Only a major drive to rebuild the arsenal of democracy can deter China from taking Taiwan through force or other countries from similarly challenging the United States.—
MICHAEL BROWN,
Foreign Affairs,
22 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Most designers would find such a project daunting: To create 500 costumes for a theatrical spectacular that is part-cabaret, part-circus, with a budget of $14 million, more than 100 performers and lashings of Swarovski crystals.—
Cathrin Schaer,
Footwear News,
3 Sep. 2019
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But the daunting posts were just T’ing up the Swirls and Fusions announcement — plain chocolate and vanilla Frostys aren’t going anywhere, a Wendy's spokesperson confirmed to PEOPLE.—
Sabrina Weiss,
People.com,
10 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The king of the forest was once frightened by the sound of a bull.—
John Nemec,
The Conversation,
7 Apr. 2025
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The prospect of returning to the role, first for a West End reprise in February and then for the Brooklyn performance frightened her.—
Alexis Soloski,
New York Times,
26 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Discourage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/discourage. Accessed 3 May. 2025.
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