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

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

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

Verb

The article highlights how women often receive discouraging feedback for risk-taking, unlike men, which can hinder their pursuit of leadership roles. — Kim Elsesser, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026

Novels are, of course, alive in the sense that they are still being written and published, but the data for their long-term vitality is discouraging. — Brady Brickner-Wood, New Yorker, 8 July 2026

The station demoted one anchor and began discouraging its reporters from pursuing political stories that could draw attention to the station in favor of human interest stories, The Associated Press reported at the time. — Max Tani, semafor.com, 6 July 2026

Today, there are European governments discouraging AC use, power grids ill-equipped to absorb new cooling demand, and a growing tension between climate goals and adaptation needs. — Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 30 June 2026

Some sites are ‘lost forever’ The list of sites in the heart of Miami that have been found, only to be lost again, is at the same time discouraging and startling. — Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 30 June 2026

Weather and public safety officials are discouraging people from going to the beach and are emphasizing that beachgoers stay out of the water and off the rocks. — Rick Hurd, Mercury News, 29 June 2026

Already rising demand was turbocharged last fall when the Food and Drug Administration removed a more than 20-year-old black box warning discouraging women from taking hormone replacement therapy. — Angelica Peebles, CNBC, 26 June 2026

Aaron Reichlin-Melnick, a senior fellow at the American Immigration Council, said in a social media post that the higher fees appear aimed at discouraging people who already have permanent resident status from becoming full citizens. — Trevor Hughes, USA Today, 23 June 2026