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
Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 12 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
Many applicants report having to manually re-enter details already contained within their resume, creating a repetitive and discouraging experience.
—Bybryan Robinson, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026
This week marked a discouraging milestone for American motorists.
—Jordan Blum, Fortune, 20 May 2026
In another discouraging signal, price increases accelerated by more in April than economists expected even after excluding gasoline and food costs.
—Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2026
The first half of this homestand has been particularly discouraging because the Phillies, though rich in talent, came to Miami at 12-19 before winning three of four at loanDepot Park.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 6 May 2026
And the results are downright discouraging.
—Abby McCloskey, Twin Cities, 12 Apr. 2026
Both hosts often wept as Guthrie described her emotional journey through the increasingly discouraging investigation into her mother’s whereabouts.
—Andy Rose, CNN Money, 27 Mar. 2026
Michael Lynch, Forbes.com, 12 June 2026
Many Christians seek to keep a hostile world at bay by discouraging inquiry and critical thinking, by empowering theological enforcers, and by drawing narrow doctrinal boundaries.
—Peter Wehner, The Atlantic, 10 June 2026
Even discussions with authority figures might be discouraging.
—Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 10 June 2026
Many solutions for getting rid of or discouraging ants won't harm plants and are easy to apply.
—Barbara Gillette, The Spruce, 10 June 2026
The performance is especially discouraging considering Pasquantino’s expectations were high after Kauffman Stadium moved in its fences for 2026.
—Dalton Del Don, New York Times, 10 June 2026
In correspondence discouraging districts’ diversity programs, the administration has repeatedly cited a broad interpretation of the Supreme Court’s ruling on affirmative action, which prevented colleges and universities from directly considering race in admissions.
—Annie Ma, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2026
For instance, the federal permitting process is notoriously long and costly, discouraging the development of domestic production capacity.
—Wayne Winegarden, Oc Register, 7 June 2026
Rather than discouraging him, this gap between current science and old systems has made Papapetropoulos more focused and, unexpectedly, more optimistic.
—Matt Emma, USA Today, 3 June 2026
Adjective
However, increasing numbers of complaints paint a discouraging picture, especially given the cost of Traeger grills.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 12 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
Many applicants report having to manually re-enter details already contained within their resume, creating a repetitive and discouraging experience.
—Bybryan Robinson, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026
This week marked a discouraging milestone for American motorists.
—Jordan Blum, Fortune, 20 May 2026
In another discouraging signal, price increases accelerated by more in April than economists expected even after excluding gasoline and food costs.
—Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2026
The first half of this homestand has been particularly discouraging because the Phillies, though rich in talent, came to Miami at 12-19 before winning three of four at loanDepot Park.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 6 May 2026
And the results are downright discouraging.
—Abby McCloskey, Twin Cities, 12 Apr. 2026
Both hosts often wept as Guthrie described her emotional journey through the increasingly discouraging investigation into her mother’s whereabouts.
—Andy Rose, CNN Money, 27 Mar. 2026
Verb
Similarly, pro-Iran militias in Iran could continue attacks on Gulf nations, including oil ports, possibly discouraging some shipowners from sending tankers into the area, especially the northern Gulf.
—Michael Lynch, Forbes.com, 12 June 2026
Many Christians seek to keep a hostile world at bay by discouraging inquiry and critical thinking, by empowering theological enforcers, and by drawing narrow doctrinal boundaries.
—Peter Wehner, The Atlantic, 10 June 2026
Even discussions with authority figures might be discouraging.
—Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 10 June 2026
Many solutions for getting rid of or discouraging ants won't harm plants and are easy to apply.
—Barbara Gillette, The Spruce, 10 June 2026
The performance is especially discouraging considering Pasquantino’s expectations were high after Kauffman Stadium moved in its fences for 2026.
—Dalton Del Don, New York Times, 10 June 2026
In correspondence discouraging districts’ diversity programs, the administration has repeatedly cited a broad interpretation of the Supreme Court’s ruling on affirmative action, which prevented colleges and universities from directly considering race in admissions.
—Annie Ma, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2026
For instance, the federal permitting process is notoriously long and costly, discouraging the development of domestic production capacity.
—Wayne Winegarden, Oc Register, 7 June 2026
Rather than discouraging him, this gap between current science and old systems has made Papapetropoulos more focused and, unexpectedly, more optimistic.
—Matt Emma, USA Today, 3 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for discouraging
Adjective
-
The trio also acknowledged how demoralizing and disheartening the recent spate of firings, and the lack of explanation for them, has been.—
Marlow Stern,
Variety,
11 June 2026
-
Smith took over the Kings on March 1 on an interim basis after Jim Hiller was fired, with Holland citing consecutive demoralizing losses to the Golden Knights and Edmonton Oilers during a homestand after the Olympic break as a factor in his decision.—
Eric Stephens,
New York Times,
8 June 2026
Verb
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The documentary’s contradiction is right there, enthralling us with the wild achievements Potter pulled off and frustrating us with his bombast, leading us to ponder whether, as The Dark Wizard suggests, either could exist without the other.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
7 May 2026
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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
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In January 2019, Michael Vassar, the former president of MIRI, met with Lasota and Danielson in hopes, according to one person present, of dissuading them from suing CFAR for gender discrimination.—
Tessa Stuart,
Rolling Stone,
2 Dec. 2025
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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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For those dealing with the disheartening struggles of infertility, this is good news.—
Abby McCloskey,
Twin Cities,
29 Oct. 2025
-
At the end of the day, the result was a bit disheartening.—
Daniel Sperry,
Kansas City Star,
14 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The idea of moving this mattress ever again feels…daunting.—
Audrey Lee,
Architectural Digest,
15 June 2026
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The Knicks were up three games to one against an aging, but still daunting, Los Angeles Lakers team.—
David Remnick,
New Yorker,
14 June 2026
Verb
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The district found success in deterring weapons on campus during its testing in Maryvale High School, according to a report from the district.—
Erick Trevino,
AZCentral.com,
21 Aug. 2025
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In fact, research shows that other scent compounds like linalool (found in lavender and mint) and geraniol (rose and lemongrass) work much better at deterring mosquitoes.—
Sharon Liao,
Better Homes & Gardens,
21 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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And in the worst cases — a scenario that plays out with dismaying regularity — the executive who championed the project has moved on to another job entirely.—
George Heller,
HollywoodReporter,
6 May 2026
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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
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As intimidating as the best round brushes can seem, they shouldn’t be reserved for professional stylist use.—
Conçetta Ciarlo,
Vogue,
10 Dec. 2025
-
Their desperation results in the Van Nesses intimidating Fiona and her family into selling.—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
9 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Discouraging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/discouraging. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
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