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
Immigrant advocates say the program encourages racial profiling and discourages people from reporting crimes.
—
Heather Hunter, The Washington Examiner, 9 Jan. 2026
With its stable, upright backrest, the seat discourages slouching, but also has enough give for comfortably sitting hour after hour.
—Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 8 Jan. 2026
This design helps prevent condensation buildup and discourages rodents and pests, while still reducing the risk of damage from falling debris during winter storms.
—Kamron Sanders, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Jan. 2026
The California Department of Transportation discourages memorials along highways.
—Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 6 Jan. 2026
Saturday Night Live typically allows backing vocal tracks for its musical guests, but the show famously discourages lip-syncing during its musical performances.
—Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Dec. 2025
Moore was terminated for allegedly violating a policy the University of Michigan put in place in 2021 that strongly discourages intimate relationships between a supervisor and a supervisee.
—Chris Spargo, PEOPLE, 17 Dec. 2025
On the other hand, overestimatingthe impact of authoritarianism—believing the country has reached a point of no return—discourages the citizen actions required to defeat autocrats at the ballot box.
—Steven Levitsky, Foreign Affairs, 11 Dec. 2025
High turnover discourages investment in people – things like upskilling, cross-training, and career development.
—Pete Stavros, Fortune, 9 Dec. 2025
Heather Hunter, The Washington Examiner, 9 Jan. 2026
With its stable, upright backrest, the seat discourages slouching, but also has enough give for comfortably sitting hour after hour.
—Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 8 Jan. 2026
This design helps prevent condensation buildup and discourages rodents and pests, while still reducing the risk of damage from falling debris during winter storms.
—Kamron Sanders, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Jan. 2026
The California Department of Transportation discourages memorials along highways.
—Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 6 Jan. 2026
Saturday Night Live typically allows backing vocal tracks for its musical guests, but the show famously discourages lip-syncing during its musical performances.
—Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Dec. 2025
Moore was terminated for allegedly violating a policy the University of Michigan put in place in 2021 that strongly discourages intimate relationships between a supervisor and a supervisee.
—Chris Spargo, PEOPLE, 17 Dec. 2025
On the other hand, overestimatingthe impact of authoritarianism—believing the country has reached a point of no return—discourages the citizen actions required to defeat autocrats at the ballot box.
—Steven Levitsky, Foreign Affairs, 11 Dec. 2025
High turnover discourages investment in people – things like upskilling, cross-training, and career development.
—Pete Stavros, Fortune, 9 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for discourages
Verb
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It’s been said that the filibuster empowers the minority and frustrates the majority.—
The Detroit News Editorial Board,
Twin Cities,
6 Nov. 2025
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This inconsistency frustrates drivers and reduces their confidence in public charging networks, further slowing EV adoption.—
Atharva Gosavi,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The tension between the audience wanting the best for Siaja while her community dissuades her is key to North of North’s appeal, and that all comes down to how strongly Lambe anchors the series around her.—
Kathryn VanArendonk,
Vulture,
1 Dec. 2025
-
Taking away automatic renewal also dissuades employers from offering jobs to H-4 holders out of concerns about potential employment gaps, Peddibhotla added.—
Ethan Baron,
Mercury News,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Before his luck runs out, Robert is saved by a very pissed off Blonde Blazer, who intimidates Shroud’s crew with the bluff of backup, or at least killing half the gang.—
Christopher Cruz,
Rolling Stone,
13 Nov. 2025
-
With a name inspired by unity, strength and joy, Zayu transforms on the pitch as a striker, showcasing exceptional ingenuity and agility that intimidates defenders.—
Michelle Kaufman,
Miami Herald,
25 Sep. 2025
Verb
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In addition, immigration arrests at the courthouse have drawn criticism from many immigration advocates and local officials, who fear the tactic deters people from showing up for court.—
David Clarey,
jsonline.com,
4 Nov. 2025
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The whales' communication can be disturbed by underwater noise made by humans, and the interference often deters them from certain crucial areas, like breeding and feeding locations.—
Rachel Raposas,
PEOPLE,
4 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Discourages.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/discourages. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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