as in demoralizing
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1
as in frustrating
to lessen the courage or confidence of
I didn't let losing discourage me from trying again
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in dissuading
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 discouraging
Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 19 Mar. 2026
My own watch party got off to a discouraging start.
—Steven P. Dinkin, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Mar. 2026
Admittedly, someone older might be critical or discouraging.
—Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 19 Feb. 2026
Yet seldom is heard a discouraging word when Darnold assesses what happened in New York, Carolina, San Francisco, or Minnesota.
—Jerry McDonald, Mercury News, 5 Feb. 2026
Their status has been diminished by what has — charitably — been a really discouraging decade, featuring two separate relegations.
—Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 9 Jan. 2026
High taxes squeeze margins and send a discouraging signal to firms.
—Andrew Rein, New York Daily News, 6 Jan. 2026
But because we’re consistently inundated with longevity hacks and social media challenges touted as the key to a long life, it can be challenging and almost discouraging to figure out what actually works for us on a personal level.
—The Editors, Outside, 25 Dec. 2025
And this week, Robbie and Fennell upped the ante, weighing in with what may be the most discouraging news yet for hardcore devotees of Brontë’s Gothic text.
—Elaina Patton, IndieWire, 5 Dec. 2025
Julian McKenzie, New York Times, 21 Mar. 2026
For supply siders, higher taxes are like kryptonite to an economy, discouraging businesses from investing and damping entrepreneurial activity.
—Robert Burgess, Mercury News, 18 Mar. 2026
The policy shift followed major changes in Venezuela and the arrest of Nicolás Maduro, further tightening supply to Cuba and discouraging other tankers from approaching its ports.
—Emma Bussey, FOXNews.com, 18 Mar. 2026
That's leaving policymakers caught between competing goals of encouraging hiring, while also discouraging inflation.
—Scott Horsley, NPR, 18 Mar. 2026
Monetary policy works in part by discouraging demand through raising the cost of credit, with weaker demand easing the pressure to raise prices.
—Howard Schneider, USA Today, 17 Mar. 2026
The Union County Sheriff’s Office issued a statement on March 13 discouraging students from taking part in the trend and from using water guns that resemble real guns.
—Charlotte Observer, 17 Mar. 2026
Opponents say that provision could potentially scare workers into turning away valid applicants while also discouraging people from working or volunteering at polling locations.
—Mary Clare Jalonick, Chicago Tribune, 17 Mar. 2026
Opponents say that provision could potentially scare workers into turning away valid applicants while also discouraging people from working or volunteering at polling locations.
—ABC News, 16 Mar. 2026
Adjective
Still, the latest uptick is a discouraging sign for house hunters as the spring buying season kicks off.
—Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 19 Mar. 2026
My own watch party got off to a discouraging start.
—Steven P. Dinkin, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Mar. 2026
Admittedly, someone older might be critical or discouraging.
—Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 19 Feb. 2026
Yet seldom is heard a discouraging word when Darnold assesses what happened in New York, Carolina, San Francisco, or Minnesota.
—Jerry McDonald, Mercury News, 5 Feb. 2026
Their status has been diminished by what has — charitably — been a really discouraging decade, featuring two separate relegations.
—Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 9 Jan. 2026
High taxes squeeze margins and send a discouraging signal to firms.
—Andrew Rein, New York Daily News, 6 Jan. 2026
But because we’re consistently inundated with longevity hacks and social media challenges touted as the key to a long life, it can be challenging and almost discouraging to figure out what actually works for us on a personal level.
—The Editors, Outside, 25 Dec. 2025
And this week, Robbie and Fennell upped the ante, weighing in with what may be the most discouraging news yet for hardcore devotees of Brontë’s Gothic text.
—Elaina Patton, IndieWire, 5 Dec. 2025
Verb
Last spring, a letter was sent to Senators season ticket holders discouraging them from transferring their tickets to rival fans ahead of their first-round playoff series against the Maple Leafs.
—Julian McKenzie, New York Times, 21 Mar. 2026
For supply siders, higher taxes are like kryptonite to an economy, discouraging businesses from investing and damping entrepreneurial activity.
—Robert Burgess, Mercury News, 18 Mar. 2026
The policy shift followed major changes in Venezuela and the arrest of Nicolás Maduro, further tightening supply to Cuba and discouraging other tankers from approaching its ports.
—Emma Bussey, FOXNews.com, 18 Mar. 2026
That's leaving policymakers caught between competing goals of encouraging hiring, while also discouraging inflation.
—Scott Horsley, NPR, 18 Mar. 2026
Monetary policy works in part by discouraging demand through raising the cost of credit, with weaker demand easing the pressure to raise prices.
—Howard Schneider, USA Today, 17 Mar. 2026
The Union County Sheriff’s Office issued a statement on March 13 discouraging students from taking part in the trend and from using water guns that resemble real guns.
—Charlotte Observer, 17 Mar. 2026
Opponents say that provision could potentially scare workers into turning away valid applicants while also discouraging people from working or volunteering at polling locations.
—Mary Clare Jalonick, Chicago Tribune, 17 Mar. 2026
Opponents say that provision could potentially scare workers into turning away valid applicants while also discouraging people from working or volunteering at polling locations.
—ABC News, 16 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for discouraging
Adjective
-
On the surface, that defeat should have been demoralizing, but the reality was very different.—
Patrick Snell,
CNN Money,
21 Feb. 2026
-
The demoralizing graffiti marring the main entrance to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 360 Lenox Ave.—
Colin Mixson,
New York Daily News,
12 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Mack and the Chargers’ defense pressured quarterbacks Jalen Hurts of the Eagles and Patrick Mahomes of the Chiefs, frustrating them and keeping them out of their comfort zones.—
Elliott Teaford,
Oc Register,
20 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
But the report said those efforts would have limited effects in dissuading someone who has a gambling addiction.—
Suzanne King,
Kansas City Star,
12 Mar. 2026
-
Trump, just as the vote was wrapping up, issued a primary threat against those who opposed his tariff regime — potentially dissuading some Republicans running in tight seats from backing Democrats’ tariff resolutions.—
Emily Brooks,
The Hill,
13 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
With the next five against the Lakers, Rockets, Spurs, Cavaliers and Cavaliers, there will be the opportunity for statement wins to follow, after the disheartening losses to the Magic and Hornets.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
18 Mar. 2026
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The disheartening shift has continued since Katherine, whose name CNN agreed to change to protect her privacy, gave birth to her daughter.—
Kristen Rogers,
CNN Money,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The daunting 11-page press release is packed with names, events, series, festivals, jazz series, song series, new music series, new music everything (22 commissions), recitals, rituals, opera, YOLA — within Walt Disney Concert Hall and without.—
Classical Music Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Mar. 2026
-
SpaceX has been relentlessly hurling Starlink satellites into orbit ever since and just hit a huge milestone that cements this daunting new era.—
Jonathan O'Callaghan,
Scientific American,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The group's comeback follows a nearly four-year hiatus driven by South Korea’s mandatory military service, which requires most able-bodied men to serve 18 to 21 months under a conscription system aimed at deterring aggression from North Korea.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
20 Mar. 2026
-
Iran’s whole war strategy revolves around targeting the Persian Gulf’s energy facilities, deterring oil tankers from using the normally busy Strait of Hormuz and driving up energy prices so that Americans feel it in their wallets.—
Daniel DePetris,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The keenness of my letdown was dismaying.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
13 Feb. 2026
-
But there’s another side to this story, equally dismaying, which is the abandonment of dissidents as a public cause in the West.—
Bret Stephens,
Mercury News,
12 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
In May 2025, Peralta-Quintana was charged with intimidating and retaliating against a witness, and he was convicted on those counts as well, the DA said.—
Laura Fay,
CBS News,
20 Mar. 2026
-
February 19 – March 20 Money choices don’t have to be intimidating today.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
19 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Discouraging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/discouraging. Accessed 23 Mar. 2026.
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