Synonyms of discouraging

discouraging 1 of 2

adjective

as in demoralizing

Related Words

• demoralizing
• disheartening
• dismaying
• disconcerting
• daunting
• dispiriting
• troublesome
• troubling
• upsetting
• disturbing
• worrisome
• unsettling
• disquieting
• discomfiting
• distressing
• frightening
• nagging
• discomforting
• perturbing
• scary
• troublous
• chilling
• alarming
• discomposing
• nasty
• terrifying
• fearful
• terrible
• shocking
• horrible
• harassing
• horrifying
• forbidding
• persecutory
• formidable
• dreadful
• ghastly
• dread
• horrendous
• intimidating
• dire
• persecutive
• frightful
• fearsome
• direful
• hair-raising

Dissimilar Words

• reassuring
• settling
• soothing
• calming
• comforting
• relaxing
• narcotic
• inviting
• dreamy
• quieting
• sedative
• tranquilizing
• consoling
• lulling
• pacifying

discouraging

2 of 2

verb

present participle of discourage

1

as in frustrating

to lessen the courage or confidence of

I didn't let losing discourage me from trying again

Synonyms & Similar Words

• frustrating
• disheartening
• daunting
• intimidating
• demoralizing
• frightening
• unnerving
• dispiriting
• dismaying
• scaring
• troubling
• horrifying
• worrying
• bothering
• chilling
• saddening
• trying
• afflicting
• distressing
• weighing
• throwing cold water on
• bullying
• unmanning
• depressing
• browbeating
• undermining
• weakening
• debilitating
• cowing
• deadening
• vexing
• irking
• dampening
• damping
• enfeebling

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• encouraging
• cheering
• enforcing
• reinforcing
• invigorating
• emboldening
• strengthening
• heartening
• enlivening
• exciting
• nerving
• reassuring
• assuring
• animating
• steeling
• stimulating
• gladdening
• fortifying
• stirring
• lifting
• inspiring
• provoking
• buoying (up)
• energizing
• galvanizing
• boosting
• rallying
• quickening

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• dissuading
• deterring
• inhibiting
• diverting
• unselling
• repelling

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• encouraging
• persuading
• urging
• exhorting
• prodding
• inducing
• prompting
• goading
• impelling
• egging (on)

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of discouraging

Adjective

Then a rough 2025, a crowded rotation in 2026 and a discouraging bullpen stint led Pfaadt back to Reno. — Tyler Kepner, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026

Despite the discouraging landscape, recruiters and career experts say there are still ways for recent graduates to stand out. — Alyshia Hull, USA Today, 28 July 2026

Abigail Simon-Hart is all too familiar with these discouraging trends. — Durrie Bouscaren, NPR, 25 July 2026

While the Braves have not officially shut the door on either player, the latest update paints a discouraging picture. — Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026

Tracy provided another discouraging injury update over the weekend in Anaheim as well, telling reporters that first baseman Triston Casas suffered yet another setback and has been shut down from hitting due to a wrist issue. — Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 7 July 2026

Still, this was a discouraging result for anyone wearing yellow in Kansas City. — Kellis Robinett, Kansas City Star, 21 June 2026

The Chicago Blackhawks needed plenty after a discouraging 2024-25 season. — Kalen Lumpkins, Chicago Tribune, 15 June 2026

Siri’s walk-off single in the 10th gave the Angels a 3-2 victory over the Houston Astros on Wednesday night, saving the Angels from what would have been a discouraging loss on a night when Detmers dominated. — Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 11 June 2026

Verb

For some, these new measures promise to weed out AI use in the classroom, whether by discouraging students from relying on LLMs or equipping professors with a foolproof method of identifying its use. — Christopher Rim, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026

Some researchers also wondered whether therapeutic ideas about trauma and family dynamics could play a role in discouraging liberals from having kids. — Olga Khazan, The Atlantic, 20 Aug. 2026

Offensive line coach Butch Barry must quickly figure out his unit’s direction, as Week 1 of the regular season is less than a month away and Biadasz’s health status appears discouraging. — Joaquin Ruiz, Los Angeles Times, 19 Aug. 2026

At the same time sweeping farm loan waivers have been criticized for impairing credit discipline, draining the public exchequer, and discouraging lending. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 18 Aug. 2026

No ground was made up in the quarterback competition, which is discouraging in itself. — Zach Berman, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2026

Again, Donato said this additional step was unnecessary and seemed geared toward discouraging users from downloading alternative stores. — Ryan Whitwam, ArsTechnica, 14 Aug. 2026

Public health experts worry that conflicting messages will cause confusion, discouraging people from getting another shot. — Rob Stein, NPR, 14 Aug. 2026

The indirect effect – discouraging investment – is likely weaker than usual because the windfall isn’t being invested now anyway. — Tibor Besedeš, The Conversation, 12 Aug. 2026