as in demoralizing
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Dissimilar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of discouraging
Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 19 Feb. 2026
Yet seldom is heard a discouraging word when Darnold assesses what happened in New York, Carolina, San Francisco, or Minnesota.
—Jerry McDonald, Mercury News, 5 Feb. 2026
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
Tamia Boyd, Charlotte Observer, 26 Feb. 2026
Some Fed officials have specifically argued that last year’s weak hiring shows that borrowing costs are weighing on growth and discouraging companies from expanding.
—ABC News, 26 Feb. 2026
These days, Kennedy chooses his words more carefully, whereas Bigtree has remained just as proudly committed to discouraging Americans from getting vaccinated.
—Tom Bartlett, The Atlantic, 24 Feb. 2026
The organization’s rebuild has centered on evaluation through competition, not avoidance of it, and a league-wide move toward discouraging manipulation would make that philosophy less of an outlier.
—C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 20 Feb. 2026
But the venue was not the issue, as host Ego Nwodim was forced to deliver some disappointing monologues, several key guests were absent, and the lack of buzz overall was discouraging.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 20 Feb. 2026
Supporters say the legislation is needed to protect sports officials, send a message and also because unruly behavior by fans, parents and coaches has led to an officials shortage, sending some into early retirement and discouraging others from becoming referees, umpires or officials.
—Jack Perry, The Providence Journal, 16 Feb. 2026
In a memo sent to players Saturday, the NFLPA also disagreed with how a provision in the collective bargaining agreement discouraging public criticism was applied to the arbitrator’s ruling.
—Mike Jones, New York Times, 13 Feb. 2026
Perhaps the solution is as simple as Miss Manners issuing a polite, but stern, PSA or a witty bon mot discouraging this practice.
—Judith Martin, Sun Sentinel, 13 Feb. 2026
Adjective
Admittedly, someone older might be critical or discouraging.
—Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 19 Feb. 2026
Yet seldom is heard a discouraging word when Darnold assesses what happened in New York, Carolina, San Francisco, or Minnesota.
—Jerry McDonald, Mercury News, 5 Feb. 2026
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
Verb
Those moments can be discouraging, Bryant admitted.
—Tamia Boyd, Charlotte Observer, 26 Feb. 2026
Some Fed officials have specifically argued that last year’s weak hiring shows that borrowing costs are weighing on growth and discouraging companies from expanding.
—ABC News, 26 Feb. 2026
These days, Kennedy chooses his words more carefully, whereas Bigtree has remained just as proudly committed to discouraging Americans from getting vaccinated.
—Tom Bartlett, The Atlantic, 24 Feb. 2026
The organization’s rebuild has centered on evaluation through competition, not avoidance of it, and a league-wide move toward discouraging manipulation would make that philosophy less of an outlier.
—C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 20 Feb. 2026
But the venue was not the issue, as host Ego Nwodim was forced to deliver some disappointing monologues, several key guests were absent, and the lack of buzz overall was discouraging.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 20 Feb. 2026
Supporters say the legislation is needed to protect sports officials, send a message and also because unruly behavior by fans, parents and coaches has led to an officials shortage, sending some into early retirement and discouraging others from becoming referees, umpires or officials.
—Jack Perry, The Providence Journal, 16 Feb. 2026
In a memo sent to players Saturday, the NFLPA also disagreed with how a provision in the collective bargaining agreement discouraging public criticism was applied to the arbitrator’s ruling.
—Mike Jones, New York Times, 13 Feb. 2026
Perhaps the solution is as simple as Miss Manners issuing a polite, but stern, PSA or a witty bon mot discouraging this practice.
—Judith Martin, Sun Sentinel, 13 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for discouraging
Adjective
-
On the surface, that defeat should have been demoralizing, but the reality was very different.—
Patrick Snell,
CNN Money,
21 Feb. 2026
-
The demoralizing graffiti marring the main entrance to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 360 Lenox Ave.—
Colin Mixson,
New York Daily News,
12 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
Trump, just as the vote was wrapping up, issued a primary threat against those who opposed his tariff regime — potentially dissuading some Republicans running in tight seats from backing Democrats’ tariff resolutions.—
Emily Brooks,
The Hill,
13 Feb. 2026
-
A little bout of volatility isn't dissuading Ed Yardeni from his bullish take on stocks.—
Fred Imbert,
CNBC,
8 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Looking at the year ahead, the picture doesn’t look too pretty—and looking back, there’s some disheartening déjà vu.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
24 Feb. 2026
-
The truth is too disheartening.—
Elaine Blair,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The ups and downs of the Texas high school basketball season aren’t daunting for Birdville.—
Charles Baggarly,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
23 Feb. 2026
-
Creating a Disney World packing list can feel daunting.—
Jacqueline Dole,
Travel + Leisure,
23 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Lavender is a great companion plant to use with vegetable gardens, as its strong floral scent attracts beneficial pollinators, while deterring harmful insects.—
Shagun Khare,
Martha Stewart,
27 Feb. 2026
-
Reimbursement rates have not kept up with costs, deterring dentists from accepting Medicaid, said Marko Vujicic, chief economist and vice president at the ADA Health Policy Institute.—
Phil Galewitz,
CBS News,
27 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The keenness of my letdown was dismaying.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
13 Feb. 2026
-
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
-
The Lord of the Rings Sauron’s Helmet Build an impressive replica of Sauron’s intimidating helmet, complete with a display stand, name plaque, and a minifigure clutching the One Ring.—
Brittany Anas,
Entertainment Weekly,
28 Feb. 2026
-
British pubs can be intimidating for visitors.—
Maureen O'Hare,
CNN Money,
28 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Discouraging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/discouraging. Accessed 3 Mar. 2026.
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