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
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of discourage
Unnecessary travel is discouraged as road conditions worsen.
—
Quinlan Bentley, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025
In addition, some experts argue the laws could even discourage kids from reporting actual violent threats for fear of retribution.
—Angele Latham, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025
All of this, on top of the everyday stressors that are par for the course with business ownership, can be discouraging.
—Jess Turner, Forbes.com, 27 June 2025
While global finance institutions and investors have long been interested in diversifying to China, Beijing’s strict controls on capital outflows and relatively opaque system have discouraged large-scale buying of mainland China assets.
—Lee Ying Shan,evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 25 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for discourage
Quinlan Bentley, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025
In addition, some experts argue the laws could even discourage kids from reporting actual violent threats for fear of retribution.
—Angele Latham, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025
All of this, on top of the everyday stressors that are par for the course with business ownership, can be discouraging.
—Jess Turner, Forbes.com, 27 June 2025
While global finance institutions and investors have long been interested in diversifying to China, Beijing’s strict controls on capital outflows and relatively opaque system have discouraged large-scale buying of mainland China assets.
—Lee Ying Shan,evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 25 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for discourage
Recent Examples of Synonyms for discourage
Verb
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Williams often got frustrated with him and told him to be quiet.—
Michael Cuglietta,
The Orlando Sentinel,
5 July 2025
-
Others are frustrated by the sheer volume of low-effort AI content flooding their feeds.—
Zach Vallese,
CNBC,
2 July 2025
Verb
-
But neither issue dissuaded me from eating the whole thing.—
Keith Pandolfi,
The Enquirer,
2 July 2025
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Proponents of this change worry defamation lawsuits, or even the threat of defamation claims, further dissuades denomination leaders from a tougher, more outspoken posture against ministers accused of abuse.—
Liam Adams,
The Tennessean,
2 July 2025
Verb
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But moving from being a casual fan into understanding the intricacies of tennis can be intimidating.—
Caoimhe O'Neill,
New York Times,
10 July 2025
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Alfredo Romero-Cortez, 48, was arrested and charged with aggravated rape, assault and battery on a household member, assault with a dangerous weapon, and intimidating a witness.—
Rick Sobey,
Boston Herald,
8 July 2025
Verb
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This can deter casual applicants and lift offer-acceptance rates later as long as the content is accessible for all.—
Susan LaMotte,
Forbes.com,
2 July 2025
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The argument is that, if landlords and developers see a rent freeze, they would be deterred from investing in new affordable housing.—
John Cassidy,
New Yorker,
30 June 2025
Verb
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But the law is not only harmful in its use: The mere threat of a CEQA lawsuit is enough to stifle new housing developments since such suits can add substantial time, cost and risk for builders who already face daunting construction costs.—
Daniel Yost,
Mercury News,
16 June 2025
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Understanding that misplacing items is a challenge daunting everyone – from reckless youth to sleepless parents, busy young adults, and the elderly – FindR stickers come in a kaleidoscope of sizes, colors, and finishes.—
Ethan Stone,
USA TODAY,
17 Jan. 2025
Verb
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But their return has also angered and frightened livestock farmers and others in rural communities who are having to learn to live alongside these once nearly-extinct creatures.—
Ruth Sherlock,
NPR,
9 July 2025
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But on Friday night, the booms and blasts of celebratory fireworks appear to have frightened them away.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
6 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Discourage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/discourage. Accessed 17 Jul. 2025.
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