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
Still, talent alone cannot produce growth if the broader economic environment discourages investment or drives workers elsewhere.
—
The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 27 Jan. 2026
The travel watch still discourages unnecessary travel.
—Cheryl Vari, Cincinnati Enquirer, 26 Jan. 2026
TxDOT strongly discourages travel when snow or ice is on the road, and the same goes for airports.
—Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Jan. 2026
Road precautions The EMSA strongly discourages any type of travel, including driving, due to icy road conditions.
—Isa Almeida, Oklahoman, 22 Jan. 2026
Hearing no too often discourages participation.
—Kansas City Star, 16 Jan. 2026
Setting traps and baits eradicates or, at least, discourages these pests from tunneling through your garden and nibbling roots to damage perennials and shrubs.
—Barbara Gillette, The Spruce, 15 Jan. 2026
Some immigration activists argue that any communication between ICE and city police discourages immigrants without legal status from reporting crimes or cooperating with law enforcement.
—Emiliano Tahui Gómez, Austin American Statesman, 15 Jan. 2026
Limiting who can buy homes shrinks the market and discourages construction.
—Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Jan. 2026
The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 27 Jan. 2026
The travel watch still discourages unnecessary travel.
—Cheryl Vari, Cincinnati Enquirer, 26 Jan. 2026
TxDOT strongly discourages travel when snow or ice is on the road, and the same goes for airports.
—Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Jan. 2026
Road precautions The EMSA strongly discourages any type of travel, including driving, due to icy road conditions.
—Isa Almeida, Oklahoman, 22 Jan. 2026
Hearing no too often discourages participation.
—Kansas City Star, 16 Jan. 2026
Setting traps and baits eradicates or, at least, discourages these pests from tunneling through your garden and nibbling roots to damage perennials and shrubs.
—Barbara Gillette, The Spruce, 15 Jan. 2026
Some immigration activists argue that any communication between ICE and city police discourages immigrants without legal status from reporting crimes or cooperating with law enforcement.
—Emiliano Tahui Gómez, Austin American Statesman, 15 Jan. 2026
Limiting who can buy homes shrinks the market and discourages construction.
—Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for discourages
Verb
-
That just frustrates me incredibly.—
Angus Chen,
STAT,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Their research isn’t finished yet, which sometimes frustrates residents, Wang said.—
Jack Prator,
The Orlando Sentinel,
5 Jan. 2026
Verb
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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
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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
-
If French wine intimidates you, this is the perfect place to get over that fear.—
Noel Burgess,
Forbes.com,
22 Jan. 2026
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Independent groups like Human Rights Watch say the Venezuelan government intimidates human rights advocates, arrests and detains protesters and harasses journalists.—
Syra Ortiz Blanes,
Miami Herald,
14 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Watchman Trail in Zion National Park, Utah The dry heat that typically deters hikers from southern Utah in the summer is long gone by the winter months.—
Evie Carrick,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Jan. 2026
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Judges and others have expressed concern that the practice deters defendants from showing up to court, but the president and his allies say is necessary to apprehend those living in the country illegally.—
Phillip M. Bailey,
USA Today,
19 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Discourages.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/discourages. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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