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
-
No question, the end of the season was deflating and demoralizing.—
Aaron Portzline,
New York Times,
5 June 2026
-
The ball—true to Brown’s original design—is always humming around at high speed, finding the right man and confounding the defenses that the team’s sheer force keeps demoralizing.—
Vinson Cunningham,
New Yorker,
2 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
-
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
-
Several recent papers suggest that the rent-control scheme might even be making the housing shortage worse in some places by causing landlords to take units off the rental market and dissuading developers from building.—
Rogé Karma,
The Atlantic,
1 June 2026
-
The jury in March found O’Connor guilty of crimes including child endangerment and furnishing alcohol to a minor, and dissuading a witness.—
Robert Salonga,
Mercury News,
26 May 2026
Adjective
-
In this disheartening scenario, the contention is that human knowledge at the edges will be dampened, buried, or rarely presented.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
11 June 2026
-
Drying Your Nails At Home There is nothing more disheartening than taking time to paint your nails at home only to smudge them minutes later.—
Kaitlyn Yarborough,
Southern Living,
27 May 2026
Verb
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Sorting through piles of jewelry can feel daunting because many pieces look similar.—
Olivia McIntosh,
Martha Stewart,
6 June 2026
-
As ballot returns continue to trickle in after Tuesday’s primary for governor, Democrat Tom Steyer faces daunting math to reach the general election.—
Ben Paviour,
Sacbee.com,
4 June 2026
Verb
-
Baltimore has a similar strategy in place with the goal of deterring youth crime in the summer.—
JT Moodee Lockman,
CBS News,
12 June 2026
-
How to Prevent Gnats Outside There are several methods for naturally deterring gnats.—
Emily Hayes,
Martha Stewart,
12 June 2026
Adjective
-
Some recent comments from longtime Voicers have been especially dismaying.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
4 June 2026
-
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
Verb
-
They are expected to be confident but not intimidating, ambitious but not self-promotional, collaborative but not passive, assertive but not aggressive.—
Maia Niguel Hoskin,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2026
-
Schumer declined to address the divisions in his caucus over Platner amid allegations of unsettling and intimidating behavior by past girlfriends.—
Burgess Everett,
semafor.com,
12 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Discouraging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/discouraging. Accessed 15 Jun. 2026.
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