1
as in frustrating
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 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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in demoralizing
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of discouraging
Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 24 Sep. 2025
At the same time, the Edinburgh publishers Oliver and Boyd brought out an anthology called The Door of Youth—A Selection of Poems from Edinburgh School Magazines, with a discouraging preface by John Buchan.
—Frances Wilson
september 23, Literary Hub, 23 Sep. 2025
The examples of Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, where life after revolution is replete with bitterness and recrimination, are profoundly discouraging.
—Kapil Komireddi, New Yorker, 22 Sep. 2025
The Red Sox suffered a discouraging 5-3 loss to the Athletics, who clinched the three-game series and handed Boston its eighth defeat in the last 13 games.
—Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 18 Sep. 2025
As discouraging as these workplace shifts are, young professionals would do well to use this insight to manage their careers.
—Ulrik Juul Christensen, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
The discouraging part was just the lack of adjustments as the game went.
—Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Sep. 2025
Iamaleava, the Tennessee transfer, threw for just 136 yards with one touchdown and an interception in a discouraging Bruins debut at the Rose Bowl.
—Matt Wadleigh, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025
That’s a discouraging sign for inflation.
—Nino Paoli, Fortune, 21 Aug. 2025
Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 3 Oct. 2025
Before her groundbreaking discoveries made headlines around the world, Goodall endured long, discouraging stretches in the field.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 2 Oct. 2025
Tackling Economic Insecurity Youth job insecurity weighs heavily in Italy and Spain, which face high youth unemployment, discouraging family formation.
—Micah McCartney, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Sep. 2025
During the recent protests across Indonesia, Tapsell says the broadcasting commission issued a directive discouraging media outlets from covering the protests live.
—Ashish Valentine, NPR, 30 Sep. 2025
Despite some discouraging downward trends, all the prefatory jawing could go a long way toward siphoning off a fair number of viewers who might otherwise be locked in on the NFL.
—Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 25 Sep. 2025
These findings suggest that transparency in the authorization process effectively deters companies from obtaining low-value patent extensions without discouraging further research and development.
—Lucy Xiaolu Wang, The Conversation, 23 Sep. 2025
But Hornig warned that discouraging treatment altogether — especially with respiratory viruses like flu and Covid-19 still circulating — could leave women vulnerable.
—Tribune News Service, Twin Cities, 23 Sep. 2025
Now, China has reportedly been discouraging local tech firms from buying Nvidia's AI chips.
—Arjun Kharpal, CNBC, 23 Sep. 2025
Verb
My father was very discouraging about it, too.
—Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 24 Sep. 2025
At the same time, the Edinburgh publishers Oliver and Boyd brought out an anthology called The Door of Youth—A Selection of Poems from Edinburgh School Magazines, with a discouraging preface by John Buchan.
—Frances Wilson
september 23, Literary Hub, 23 Sep. 2025
The examples of Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, where life after revolution is replete with bitterness and recrimination, are profoundly discouraging.
—Kapil Komireddi, New Yorker, 22 Sep. 2025
The Red Sox suffered a discouraging 5-3 loss to the Athletics, who clinched the three-game series and handed Boston its eighth defeat in the last 13 games.
—Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 18 Sep. 2025
As discouraging as these workplace shifts are, young professionals would do well to use this insight to manage their careers.
—Ulrik Juul Christensen, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
The discouraging part was just the lack of adjustments as the game went.
—Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Sep. 2025
Iamaleava, the Tennessee transfer, threw for just 136 yards with one touchdown and an interception in a discouraging Bruins debut at the Rose Bowl.
—Matt Wadleigh, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025
That’s a discouraging sign for inflation.
—Nino Paoli, Fortune, 21 Aug. 2025
Adjective
In fact, immunization is a dicey-enough financial proposition that the administration’s anti-vaccine policies already are discouraging providers from stocking some immunizations.
—Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 3 Oct. 2025
Before her groundbreaking discoveries made headlines around the world, Goodall endured long, discouraging stretches in the field.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 2 Oct. 2025
Tackling Economic Insecurity Youth job insecurity weighs heavily in Italy and Spain, which face high youth unemployment, discouraging family formation.
—Micah McCartney, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Sep. 2025
During the recent protests across Indonesia, Tapsell says the broadcasting commission issued a directive discouraging media outlets from covering the protests live.
—Ashish Valentine, NPR, 30 Sep. 2025
Despite some discouraging downward trends, all the prefatory jawing could go a long way toward siphoning off a fair number of viewers who might otherwise be locked in on the NFL.
—Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 25 Sep. 2025
These findings suggest that transparency in the authorization process effectively deters companies from obtaining low-value patent extensions without discouraging further research and development.
—Lucy Xiaolu Wang, The Conversation, 23 Sep. 2025
But Hornig warned that discouraging treatment altogether — especially with respiratory viruses like flu and Covid-19 still circulating — could leave women vulnerable.
—Tribune News Service, Twin Cities, 23 Sep. 2025
Now, China has reportedly been discouraging local tech firms from buying Nvidia's AI chips.
—Arjun Kharpal, CNBC, 23 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for discouraging
Verb
-
Prosecutors also have charged Wang with making criminal threats and dissuading a witness, according to court records.—
Nate Gartrell,
Mercury News,
30 Sep. 2025
-
Sumpter was charged with multiple felonies and misdemeanors, including assault likely to produce great bodily injury, battery with serious bodily injury and dissuading a witness, Butte County public records show.—
Toria Sheffield,
PEOPLE,
15 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The first came at a demoralizing time for the Patriots’ offense.—
Doug Kyed,
Boston Herald,
21 Sep. 2025
-
The Indianapolis City-County Council is nearing a key vote that will end in either a demoralizing defeat for Google or the city approving a major data center against the wishes of the councilor and residents on the southeast side of the city.—
Alysa Guffey,
IndyStar,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
To see a government shut down on the heels of that progress is disheartening, Explore Asheville CEO Vic Isley said.—
Briah Lumpkins,
Charlotte Observer,
3 Oct. 2025
-
Though disheartening, its abrupt cancellation wasn’t uncommon, especially for television shows that featured Black talent.—
Essence,
Essence,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Cutting the horns reduces the value of the rhinos, thus deterring poachers and saving the animals’ lives.—
Noah Lyons,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Sep. 2025
-
In turn, allies must better understand that their conventional military forces and American capabilities, conventional and nuclear, are part of one system for deterring threats and responding to attacks.—
MARIANO-FLORENTINO CUÉLLAR,
Foreign Affairs,
25 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
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
-
But the drum sound wasn’t nearly as dismaying as the studio’s piano, which kept slipping out of tune.—
Peter Ames Carlin,
Rolling Stone,
13 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Gone is the insurance of daunting rim protectors like Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen.—
Joel Lorenzi,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
-
Even after a potential ceasefire, the task of rebuilding will be daunting and could take decades.—
Emily Feng,
NPR,
7 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The result was a disconcerting 31-28 loss that relegated the Chiefs to 2-3 and leaves us to question anew just who and what this team is.—
Chris Ochsner,
Kansas City Star,
7 Oct. 2025
-
Overall, more disconcerting for staffers at the network are Paramount’s plans for significant layoffs later this year.—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
6 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Guided Stargazing Tours Stargazing in a new-to-you location can feel intimidating.—
Stephanie Vermillion,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Oct. 2025
-
The molasses-like appearance can initially seem intimidating, but the sweetness and richness of flavor is truly unique.—
Kaitlyn Yarborough,
Southern Living,
5 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Discouraging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/discouraging. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share