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
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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
Abby Frank, The Conversation, 5 Nov. 2025
Nothing creates a discouraging organizational structure more than uncertainty.
—Josh Browning, Big Think, 28 Oct. 2025
The Rams want to go into their bye week with a win after two straight years entering their off week coming off a discouraging loss.
—Adam Grosbard, Oc Register, 18 Oct. 2025
This will be a discouraging experience for you.
—Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 18 Oct. 2025
Australia’s 1-0 win at Stade Saputo Friday night handed the Canada head coach his first loss on home soil, getting the October international window off to a discouraging start.
—Joshua Kloke, New York Times, 11 Oct. 2025
Kindling his broad grin and clean laughter brightened even the most discouraging day.
—Jim Moore, Outdoor Life, 8 Oct. 2025
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
U T Editorial Board, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Nov. 2025
The initiative also coincides with the $100,000 H-1B application fee, introduced September 21, two days after the DOL announcement—a White House move aimed at discouraging bulk filings by staffing and outsourcing firms.
—Robert Alexander, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2025
After possibly allowing the opening touchdown to Browns tight end Harold Fannin, Spillane was everywhere; diagnosing run plays, discouraging throws and snagging an interception in the second half.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 28 Oct. 2025
One reason why grade inflation has increased at Harvard is concern among faculty about being tougher than their peers and thereby discouraging enrollment in their courses, Claybaugh said in the study, which was reported earlier by the Harvard Crimson.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 27 Oct. 2025
In many faith traditions, mental health can be a stigmatized topic, discouraging open dialogue for those struggling with issues like depression or anxiety.
—Lauren Costantino, Miami Herald, 16 Oct. 2025
Nevertheless, disagreements with family members might be discouraging.
—Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 15 Oct. 2025
But far from discouraging him, her comment became the inception of a −very sweet− journey.
—Paula Soria, AZCentral.com, 14 Oct. 2025
The entire crop of players with serious money left on their deals endured long, discouraging stretches this season where their contracts looked like albatrosses.
—Grant Brisbee, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025
Adjective
If the gap between self and fitfluencer seems too wide, comparisons become discouraging, not motivating.
—Abby Frank, The Conversation, 5 Nov. 2025
Nothing creates a discouraging organizational structure more than uncertainty.
—Josh Browning, Big Think, 28 Oct. 2025
The Rams want to go into their bye week with a win after two straight years entering their off week coming off a discouraging loss.
—Adam Grosbard, Oc Register, 18 Oct. 2025
This will be a discouraging experience for you.
—Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 18 Oct. 2025
Australia’s 1-0 win at Stade Saputo Friday night handed the Canada head coach his first loss on home soil, getting the October international window off to a discouraging start.
—Joshua Kloke, New York Times, 11 Oct. 2025
Kindling his broad grin and clean laughter brightened even the most discouraging day.
—Jim Moore, Outdoor Life, 8 Oct. 2025
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
Verb
But a September report from SANDAG’s internal auditor was discouraging.
—U T Editorial Board, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Nov. 2025
The initiative also coincides with the $100,000 H-1B application fee, introduced September 21, two days after the DOL announcement—a White House move aimed at discouraging bulk filings by staffing and outsourcing firms.
—Robert Alexander, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2025
After possibly allowing the opening touchdown to Browns tight end Harold Fannin, Spillane was everywhere; diagnosing run plays, discouraging throws and snagging an interception in the second half.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 28 Oct. 2025
One reason why grade inflation has increased at Harvard is concern among faculty about being tougher than their peers and thereby discouraging enrollment in their courses, Claybaugh said in the study, which was reported earlier by the Harvard Crimson.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 27 Oct. 2025
In many faith traditions, mental health can be a stigmatized topic, discouraging open dialogue for those struggling with issues like depression or anxiety.
—Lauren Costantino, Miami Herald, 16 Oct. 2025
Nevertheless, disagreements with family members might be discouraging.
—Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 15 Oct. 2025
But far from discouraging him, her comment became the inception of a −very sweet− journey.
—Paula Soria, AZCentral.com, 14 Oct. 2025
The entire crop of players with serious money left on their deals endured long, discouraging stretches this season where their contracts looked like albatrosses.
—Grant Brisbee, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for discouraging
Adjective
-
Despite suffering demoralizing losses in 2024 and grappling with persistently low approval ratings, Democrats have reasons to be optimistic about the 2026 cycle.—
Kevin Breuninger,Dan Mangan,
CNBC,
4 Nov. 2025
-
The Jays were able to put their demoralizing, 18-inning loss the night before behind them as the bats came back to life.—
Kendall Capps,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
These involve raiding the lairs of hoodlum rivals, then singlehandedly dissuading them from competition.—
Dennis Harvey,
Variety,
28 Oct. 2025
-
Last week, Phypers was arrested in court and charged with four felonies — two counts of injuring a spouse and two counts of dissuading a witness by force or threat.—
Sarah Sotoodeh,
FOXNews.com,
24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
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
-
And at the risk of stating the obvious, global warming is supercharging the city’s already daunting heat.—
Vann R. Newkirk II,
The Atlantic,
10 Nov. 2025
-
In the fall, with more family potlucks and football-watching with friends, a few easy, go-to dress options are sensible, but finding the right feel and fit for a dress can be daunting.—
Rebecca Jones,
Southern Living,
9 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The incident’s location—a crowded outdoor bar patio—underscores ongoing debates over public safety, law enforcement pursuit policies, and the balance between deterring dangerous driving while protecting bystanders.—
Hollie Silverman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Nov. 2025
-
His remarks in Seoul echoed earlier statements that the alliance will stay focused on deterring North Korea.—
Efrat Lachter,
FOXNews.com,
7 Nov. 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
-
Indeed, one of General George Washington’s greatest achievements was to avoid being cornered and forced to capitulate to these intimidating legions in the war’s early years.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Tips for Making Coconut Cake Layer cakes can be intimidating for hobby bakers.—
Karla Walsh,
Better Homes & Gardens,
6 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Perhaps as disconcerting as anything is the lack of circumstances that would create such confusion.—
Alec Lewis,
New York Times,
10 Nov. 2025
-
The disconcerting scene offers a glimpse of what actually happened to Will while he was trapped for most of Season 1 and suggests that Will may still be impacted by whatever Vecna put inside him at the beginning of the story.—
Emily Zemler,
Rolling Stone,
7 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Discouraging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/discouraging. Accessed 21 Nov. 2025.
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