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
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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
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Recent Examples of discouraging
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
After playing just six discouraging games for his new team, Beal fractured his hip and underwent a season-ending surgery.
—Alex Kirschenbaum, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Dec. 2025
After that equally disappointing, discouraging and discombobulated showing Pope alluded to a mysterious pre-game locker room issue.
—Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 19 Nov. 2025
As discouraging as that sounds, the McRib may be more widely available than this statement implies.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 13 Nov. 2025
If the gap between self and fitfluencer seems too wide, comparisons become discouraging, not motivating.
—Abby Frank, The Conversation, 5 Nov. 2025
Alexandra Schonfeld, PEOPLE, 12 Jan. 2026
Fixating on the outcome and then having trouble achieving that goal can be discouraging.
—Gillian Mohney, Verywell Health, 9 Jan. 2026
The recent 2026 Business Benchmarks report from the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce found that employers have growing concerns about Minnesota’s tax and regulatory environment discouraging investment.
—Mars King, Twin Cities, 9 Jan. 2026
The threat was clearly aimed at discouraging the West from allowing Ukraine to strike Russia with longer-range weapons.
—Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 2026
Despite being one of the top defenses all season, the last month has been discouraging.
—Austin Mock, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
In other words, effective marketing can mean discouraging the wrong customers rather than convincing everyone to buy.
—Jaclyn L. Tanenbaum, Fortune, 6 Jan. 2026
But a September report from SANDAG’s internal auditor was discouraging.
—U T Editorial Board, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Nov. 2025
The initiative also coincides with the $100,000 H-1B application fee, introduced September 21, two days after the DOL announcement—a White House move aimed at discouraging bulk filings by staffing and outsourcing firms.
—Robert Alexander, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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
After playing just six discouraging games for his new team, Beal fractured his hip and underwent a season-ending surgery.
—Alex Kirschenbaum, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Dec. 2025
After that equally disappointing, discouraging and discombobulated showing Pope alluded to a mysterious pre-game locker room issue.
—Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 19 Nov. 2025
As discouraging as that sounds, the McRib may be more widely available than this statement implies.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 13 Nov. 2025
If the gap between self and fitfluencer seems too wide, comparisons become discouraging, not motivating.
—Abby Frank, The Conversation, 5 Nov. 2025
Verb
In a 2025 prison interview included in the documentary, Young defends his treatments and denies making anyone sick or discouraging his patients from seeing their doctors.
—Alexandra Schonfeld, PEOPLE, 12 Jan. 2026
Fixating on the outcome and then having trouble achieving that goal can be discouraging.
—Gillian Mohney, Verywell Health, 9 Jan. 2026
The recent 2026 Business Benchmarks report from the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce found that employers have growing concerns about Minnesota’s tax and regulatory environment discouraging investment.
—Mars King, Twin Cities, 9 Jan. 2026
The threat was clearly aimed at discouraging the West from allowing Ukraine to strike Russia with longer-range weapons.
—Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 2026
Despite being one of the top defenses all season, the last month has been discouraging.
—Austin Mock, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
In other words, effective marketing can mean discouraging the wrong customers rather than convincing everyone to buy.
—Jaclyn L. Tanenbaum, Fortune, 6 Jan. 2026
But a September report from SANDAG’s internal auditor was discouraging.
—U T Editorial Board, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Nov. 2025
The initiative also coincides with the $100,000 H-1B application fee, introduced September 21, two days after the DOL announcement—a White House move aimed at discouraging bulk filings by staffing and outsourcing firms.
—Robert Alexander, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for discouraging
Adjective
-
So, very demoralizing, devastating to lose anyone’s life, especially in that manner.—
Nick Friedell,
New York Times,
10 Jan. 2026
-
Winfrey shared the demoralizing experience in her 2017 cookbook, Food, Health, and Happiness.—
Avalon Hester,
PEOPLE,
31 Dec. 2025
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
-
A little bout of volatility isn't dissuading Ed Yardeni from his bullish take on stocks.—
Fred Imbert,
CNBC,
8 Jan. 2026
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The actor turned businessman, who filed for divorce from Richards in July, is facing four criminal charges by the State of California — two counts of injuring a spouse, cohabitant, fiancé, boyfriend, girlfriend or child's parent; and two counts of dissuading a witness by force or threat.—
Sean Mandell,
PEOPLE,
24 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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To vocalize the belief that the lawsuit was partisan politics instead of concerned citizens speaking up, is very disheartening.—
Don Stacom,
Hartford Courant,
7 Jan. 2026
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And if that weren’t bad enough, Kansas City got some disheartening injury news after the game that will make quarterback Patrick Mahomes’ life even more difficult.—
Michael Gallagher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Second, traditional networking can feel daunting.—
Dr. Shaheena Janjuha-Jivraj,
Forbes.com,
21 Jan. 2026
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This potential can be both daunting and encouraging for prospective investors – and advantageous for those who are already invested in the metal or considering adding more to their portfolio right now.—
Matt Richardson,
CBS News,
20 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Why has Hochul stalled on the Propel transmission line from upstate to NYC, deterring solar providers from making investments in this cheap, clean fuel?—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
9 Jan. 2026
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Under the plan, a multinational force for Ukraine would be deployed once a ceasefire is in place, aimed at deterring any Russian aggression and supporting the rebuilding of Ukraine’s military.—
Emma Bussey,
FOXNews.com,
7 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Democratic leaders actually were troubled by Mamdani’s rise (although their preference for a disgraced former governor was equally dismaying), but Democratic voters handed Mamdani a solid victory despite his radical positions.—
Steven Greenhut,
Oc Register,
28 Nov. 2025
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On top of this dismaying thought comes the realization that the AI is available 24x7 and at a low cost or perhaps even free.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
His whole body shook, intimidating everyone.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
12 Jan. 2026
-
With the season on the line, the 49ers locked in and defied the intimidating circumstances yet again.—
Michael Silver,
New York Times,
12 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Discouraging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/discouraging. Accessed 22 Jan. 2026.
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