1
as in frustrates
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 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
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Recent Examples of discourages
The women farmers say that the demanding nature of the work in the chile pepper fields discourages men.
—
Suzanne Nuyen, NPR, 20 Apr. 2026
Introducing uncertainty into energy rates, financing and grid management threatens existing employers and discourages future investment — particularly for manufacturers, clean tech firms, health care providers and small businesses already struggling with high costs.
—Chris Cate, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Apr. 2026
The No Place for Hate initiative, which discourages bullying, celebrates diversity and teaches students how to treat others well.
—Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 16 Apr. 2026
More than half of college students say their school either discourages (42%) or outright bans (11%) the use of AI, according to Gallup.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 16 Apr. 2026
The income that a proficiency with needle and thread commands relative to the skills needed and the physical toll of bending over detailed work for hours likely discourages teenagers and young adults from heeding Bae’s advice, fashion industry experts said.
—Anne D'innocenzio, Boston Herald, 12 Apr. 2026
When asked to comment, Apple pointed to previous statements, saying that the DMA discourages innovation, weakens privacy protections, delays or degrades product launches and increases security risks.
—Kai Nicol-Schwarz, CNBC, 10 Apr. 2026
These create a gentle barrier that discourages unconscious rolling during the night.
—Allison Palmer, Sacbee.com, 9 Apr. 2026
The income that a proficiency with needle and thread commands relative to the skills needed and the physical toll of bending over detailed work for hours likely discourages teenagers and young adults from heeding Bae’s advice, fashion industry experts said.
—Anne D’innocenzio, Los Angeles Times, 6 Apr. 2026
Suzanne Nuyen, NPR, 20 Apr. 2026
Introducing uncertainty into energy rates, financing and grid management threatens existing employers and discourages future investment — particularly for manufacturers, clean tech firms, health care providers and small businesses already struggling with high costs.
—Chris Cate, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Apr. 2026
The No Place for Hate initiative, which discourages bullying, celebrates diversity and teaches students how to treat others well.
—Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 16 Apr. 2026
More than half of college students say their school either discourages (42%) or outright bans (11%) the use of AI, according to Gallup.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 16 Apr. 2026
The income that a proficiency with needle and thread commands relative to the skills needed and the physical toll of bending over detailed work for hours likely discourages teenagers and young adults from heeding Bae’s advice, fashion industry experts said.
—Anne D'innocenzio, Boston Herald, 12 Apr. 2026
When asked to comment, Apple pointed to previous statements, saying that the DMA discourages innovation, weakens privacy protections, delays or degrades product launches and increases security risks.
—Kai Nicol-Schwarz, CNBC, 10 Apr. 2026
These create a gentle barrier that discourages unconscious rolling during the night.
—Allison Palmer, Sacbee.com, 9 Apr. 2026
The income that a proficiency with needle and thread commands relative to the skills needed and the physical toll of bending over detailed work for hours likely discourages teenagers and young adults from heeding Bae’s advice, fashion industry experts said.
—Anne D’innocenzio, Los Angeles Times, 6 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for discourages
Verb
-
Start with the room that frustrates you most, identify what’s creating clutter and look for a single piece of furniture that solves two problems at once.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Charlotte Observer,
14 Apr. 2026
-
The person at the cash register has to stop helping other customers to try and track down the booth owner, which holds up the line and frustrates everybody.—
Josh Miller,
Southern Living,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The Live With Kelly and Mark host engaged in a titillating conversation with husband Mark Consuelos on Wednesday's edition of the beloved talk show, with the star admitting that her oral retainer sometimes dissuades her husband's advances in the bedroom.—
Joey Nolfi,
Entertainment Weekly,
1 Apr. 2026
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The difficulty of challenging an arbitrator’s award sometimes dissuades the losing party from spending the time and money necessary to mount a viable challenge.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The aura of the classical guitar intimidates me.—
Peter Wayne Moe,
Longreads,
26 Mar. 2026
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The case has heightened concerns among Canada’s Iranian diaspora, many of whom have warned for years that Tehran monitors and intimidates critics abroad.—
Efrat Lachter,
FOXNews.com,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Figs contain a natural latex that deters pests, helping protect the tree from infestations.—
SJ McShane,
Martha Stewart,
22 Apr. 2026
-
Garlic's potent aroma deters all these pests.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
21 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Discourages.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/discourages. Accessed 30 Apr. 2026.
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