discourages

verb

present tense third-person singular of discourage
1
as in frustrates
to lessen the courage or confidence of I didn't let losing discourage me from trying again

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in dissuades
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

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 discourages By focusing on the answers, Tao says, AI discourages mathematicians from working on alternative approaches that might arrive at the same solution. — Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 8 Sep. 2026 After that, the Chicago Park District strongly discourages swimming, as no lifeguards will be on duty. — Darius Johnson, CBS News, 7 Sep. 2026 Focusing on audience travel is one more way that economic power disorganizes and discourages its potential opposition. — Literary Hub, 3 Sep. 2026 Couple that with the effort required to turn it, and its unnecessarily large size, and you’re left with a vehicle that paradoxically can hold its own in the twisties, but almost discourages you from finding out how well. — Adam Ismail, The Drive, 2 Sep. 2026 Culturally, college football scratches the human itch for tribalism, which America’s ethos of individualism fortunately discourages. — George F. Will, Washington Post, 28 Aug. 2026 Silver discourages mildew, mold and bacterial growth through a natural chemical process. — Bestreviews, Mercury News, 13 Aug. 2026 The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) strongly discourages co-sleeping with newborns under the age of 1. — Heather Gowen Walsh, Parents, 13 Aug. 2026 This discourages foraging wasps and yellowjackets from being attracted to these areas, says Gordon. — Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 29 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for discourages
  1. frustrates
  2. dissuades
  3. intimidates
  4. deters
Verb
  • While fragmentation frustrates people juggling multiple services, streamers see value in picking up even a few games, as sports fans have shown a tendency to keep subscribing after the final whistle.
    — Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 9 Sep. 2026
  • The nation’s paperwork regime frustrates every resident, and particularly lower-income residents who use more government programs and interact more frequently with public officials.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of frustrates
Verb
  • Mulch also helps suppress weeds and dissuades strawberry pests like slugs.
    — Michelle Mastro, Architectural Digest, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Whether their internal strength at the position dissuades them from allocating money to Abrams remains to be seen.
    — Spencer Nusbaum, New York Times, 25 July 2026
Definition of dissuades
Verb
  • Melanie Melanie came to this reunion prepared with both facts and a prosecutorial confrontation style that effectively intimidates all of her on-stage opponents.
    — Kathleen Walsh, Vulture, 1 Sep. 2026
  • In the five vignettes, James, as his character Eddie Horniman, intimidates various individuals while going through the clean-up, the sacrifice, the angle, the cut and the judgment — all steps of serving Stella Artois.
    — Chiara Kim, PEOPLE, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of intimidates
Verb
  • Worthington and Oborski see the program as both a formidable response during an active incident and a preventative measure that deters potential school shooters from attacking in the first place.
    — Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 5 Aug. 2026
  • Now, with one-year mercenary players plus rapid roster turnover, the first game deters even the most addicted sports gambler.
    — Mac Engel July 28, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 July 2026
Definition of deters

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discouragement
discourages
discouraging
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Cite this Entry

“Discourages.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/discourages. Accessed 14 Sep. 2026.

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