1
as in to frustrate
to lessen the courage or confidence of
I didn't let losing discourage me from trying again
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to dissuade
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
as in demoralizing
Related Words
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 discourage
Tiffany Archer, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026
Then, with timing that did not discourage further conspiratorial thinking, TMZ published photos of Winter leaving a restaurant with Olivia Rodrigo, and the subject mostly changed.
—Lane Brown, Vulture, 15 May 2026
Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 19 Mar. 2026
My own watch party got off to a discouraging start.
—Steven P. Dinkin, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Mar. 2026
Jon Stojan
may 7, Charlotte Observer, 7 May 2026
Appalachia has lost regional obstetric services in recent years and seen numerous hospital closures, further discouraging providers from working there.
—Gretchen E. Ely, The Conversation, 5 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for discourage
Verb
If an override did occur and was reversed by a manager who trusted the system's track record, the structure is actively discouraging the judgment it was built to include.
—Tiffany Archer, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026
Then, with timing that did not discourage further conspiratorial thinking, TMZ published photos of Winter leaving a restaurant with Olivia Rodrigo, and the subject mostly changed.
—Lane Brown, Vulture, 15 May 2026
Adjective
Still, the latest uptick is a discouraging sign for house hunters as the spring buying season kicks off.
—Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 19 Mar. 2026
My own watch party got off to a discouraging start.
—Steven P. Dinkin, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Mar. 2026
Verb
That reality can feel discouraging for victims.
—Jon Stojan
may 7, Charlotte Observer, 7 May 2026
Appalachia has lost regional obstetric services in recent years and seen numerous hospital closures, further discouraging providers from working there.
—Gretchen E. Ely, The Conversation, 5 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for discourage
Recent Examples of Synonyms for discourage
Verb
-
However, some concertgoers said they were frustrated by restrictive views in the floor section, citing the production's tall ramp structures.—
Edward Segarra,
USA Today,
21 May 2026
-
Pratt, who gained fame as Montag’s bad boyfriend on the 2000s-era hit The Hills, had been frustrated of late by his inability to get back on the air with his family.—
Gary Baum,
HollywoodReporter,
20 May 2026
Verb
-
The boldest part of Astra Nord’s strategy is its intention to begin building the 213-foot Neon on spec, in a market where spiking construction costs and uncertain demand dissuades many shipyards from the same.—
Dea Jusufi,
Forbes.com,
16 May 2026
-
Cloobeck was charged with three felony counts of attempting to dissuade a witness in connection to a criminal case pending against his fiancée, Adva Lavie, according to KTLA and NBC LA, which cited a criminal complaint.—
Kimberlee Speakman,
PEOPLE,
14 May 2026
Adjective
-
The Canadiens aren’t going anywhere, and another loss would put the Sabres in a demoralizing 3-1 hole.—
Matthew Fairburn,
New York Times,
11 May 2026
-
The demoralizing loss sent the Lakers into a three-game tailspin just a couple weeks before the playoffs.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
3 May 2026
Verb
-
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
-
Because having peers who smoke increases young people’s chances of starting themselves, fewer kids being able to get their hands on cigarettes should have a ripple effect, dissuading more and more of their peers from experimenting.—
Nicholas Florko,
The Atlantic,
19 May 2026
-
He is also accused of dissuading a victim and destroying a communication device.—
Tim Fang,
CBS News,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
Noblet admitted she was intimidated directing Clooney for the first time.—
Elsa Keslassy,
Variety,
17 May 2026
-
In my opinion, his words were aimed at intimidating female athletes into compliance.—
Jackson Thompson OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
16 May 2026
Verb
-
One of the best ways to deter these troublesome insects is to lure them away from your zucchini crops by planting Hubbard squash nearby as a trap crop.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
14 May 2026
-
Hamaguchi regulars shouldn’t be deterred, but Efira argues that, true to All of a Sudden’s spirit, all should walk in with their hearts and minds open.—
David Canfield,
HollywoodReporter,
14 May 2026
Adjective
-
And now this disheartening accounting error.—
Joe Soucheray,
Twin Cities,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Transplant Shock is Avoidable Inviting the opportunity for transplant shock has got to be one of the most disheartening gardening mistakes out there.—
Tessa Cooper,
Southern Living,
1 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Discourage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/discourage. Accessed 23 May. 2026.
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