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
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
as in demoralizing
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Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of discouraging
Valerie Mesa, People.com, 23 Aug. 2025
In high-growth markets, the outdated exemption can discourage homeowners from selling, impacting market fluidity.
—Collyn Wainwright, The Tennessean, 22 Aug. 2025
The last thing needed in Chicago, which isn’t as economically healthy as Washington was prior to Trump’s strongman maneuvers, is discouraging more people from patronizing bars, clubs and restaurants, as well as other attractions.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 22 Aug. 2025
In the weeks since the policy U-turn, Beijing has called the chip a security risk, summoned Nvidia for explanations and discouraged its companies from using it.
—John Liu, CNN Money, 17 Aug. 2025
A lot of us might want to judge students on the merits of their participation in class, but we’ve been discouraged from doing so out of fear that such evaluations will be deemed arbitrary and inequitable—and that students and their parents might complain.
—Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 17 Aug. 2025
While generally safe, the daily consumption of electrolyte drinks usually isn't necessary and is discouraged in people with high blood pressure, chronic kidney disease, or heart failure.
—Md Published, Verywell Health, 15 Aug. 2025
Travelers are discouraged from bringing any e-cigarettes, weapons, swords, or fireworks into the country, unless a permit is issued by the government.
—Michael Cappetta, Travel + Leisure, 13 Aug. 2025
None of this, though, has discouraged the hopefuls.
—Becky Sullivan, NPR, 13 Aug. 2025
Skyler Swisher, The Orlando Sentinel, 12 Apr. 2025
Good air circulation will allow leaves and stems to dry out, discouraging disease.
—Beth Botts, Chicago Tribune, 12 Apr. 2025
Done the wrong way, feedback can end up discouraging an employee from taking chances or sharing ideas for future projects.
—Rolling Stone Culture Council, Rolling Stone, 9 Apr. 2025
Irrelevant information and inconvenient steps can be frustrating to the end user, discouraging future scans.
—Sharat Potharaju, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025
The ten experts criticize Lucas’ new DEI guidance for discouraging these types of workplace trainings by exaggerating employers’ risk of hostile work environment claims by members of majority groups.
—Michelle Travis, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025
This has heightened anxiety and burnout among remaining employees, potentially discouraging job changes.
—Jack Kelly, Forbes.com, 6 Apr. 2025
This win will feel like a weight lifted off the shoulder for Lee, who came into this event after a pair of discouraging performances in his last two tournaments.
—Ron Estes, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2025
When channels of communication are broken, and topics are escalated without peer collaboration, this may create a perception of hierarchy over collaboration, potentially discouraging others from voicing their opinions or proactively addressing future issues.
—Joao Mendes-Roter, Forbes.com, 27 Mar. 2025
Verb
If things don’t go according to plan — like if your creative spark or romantic date night gets hit with a wild card — don’t be discouraged.
—Valerie Mesa, People.com, 23 Aug. 2025
In high-growth markets, the outdated exemption can discourage homeowners from selling, impacting market fluidity.
—Collyn Wainwright, The Tennessean, 22 Aug. 2025
The last thing needed in Chicago, which isn’t as economically healthy as Washington was prior to Trump’s strongman maneuvers, is discouraging more people from patronizing bars, clubs and restaurants, as well as other attractions.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 22 Aug. 2025
In the weeks since the policy U-turn, Beijing has called the chip a security risk, summoned Nvidia for explanations and discouraged its companies from using it.
—John Liu, CNN Money, 17 Aug. 2025
A lot of us might want to judge students on the merits of their participation in class, but we’ve been discouraged from doing so out of fear that such evaluations will be deemed arbitrary and inequitable—and that students and their parents might complain.
—Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 17 Aug. 2025
While generally safe, the daily consumption of electrolyte drinks usually isn't necessary and is discouraged in people with high blood pressure, chronic kidney disease, or heart failure.
—Md Published, Verywell Health, 15 Aug. 2025
Travelers are discouraged from bringing any e-cigarettes, weapons, swords, or fireworks into the country, unless a permit is issued by the government.
—Michael Cappetta, Travel + Leisure, 13 Aug. 2025
None of this, though, has discouraged the hopefuls.
—Becky Sullivan, NPR, 13 Aug. 2025
Adjective
Actions by officials in the two countries are also discouraging Canadian tourists from looking south.
—Skyler Swisher, The Orlando Sentinel, 12 Apr. 2025
Good air circulation will allow leaves and stems to dry out, discouraging disease.
—Beth Botts, Chicago Tribune, 12 Apr. 2025
Done the wrong way, feedback can end up discouraging an employee from taking chances or sharing ideas for future projects.
—Rolling Stone Culture Council, Rolling Stone, 9 Apr. 2025
Irrelevant information and inconvenient steps can be frustrating to the end user, discouraging future scans.
—Sharat Potharaju, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025
The ten experts criticize Lucas’ new DEI guidance for discouraging these types of workplace trainings by exaggerating employers’ risk of hostile work environment claims by members of majority groups.
—Michelle Travis, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025
This has heightened anxiety and burnout among remaining employees, potentially discouraging job changes.
—Jack Kelly, Forbes.com, 6 Apr. 2025
This win will feel like a weight lifted off the shoulder for Lee, who came into this event after a pair of discouraging performances in his last two tournaments.
—Ron Estes, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2025
When channels of communication are broken, and topics are escalated without peer collaboration, this may create a perception of hierarchy over collaboration, potentially discouraging others from voicing their opinions or proactively addressing future issues.
—Joao Mendes-Roter, Forbes.com, 27 Mar. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for discouraging
Adjective
-
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
-
Data site Census Reporter whispers a hopeful, yet slightly dismaying, truth: over half of Austinites are unattached.—
Ana Gutierrez,
Austin American Statesman,
2 July 2025
Adjective
-
Katie Thurston is steadfast about remaining positive in the face of her daunting stage 4 breast cancer diagnosis — but the treatment isn't easy.—
Ryan Coleman Updated,
EW.com,
27 Aug. 2025
-
Matthews spoke with Screen Rant about the daunting shoot.—
William Earl,
Variety,
25 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
But prospects for bourbon in the global market are not all troublesome.—
Olivia Evans,
The Courier-Journal,
28 Aug. 2025
-
Depth in the offensive line room is troublesome — and that’s putting it kindly — because of the knee injury Liam Eichenberg is rehabbing, which will likely force him to begin the 2025 season on the physically unable to perform list.—
Omar Kelly
August 25,
Miami Herald,
25 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
To Flores' family and outreach groups, the lack of urgency sends a troubling message: missing unhoused people aren't a priority.—
Gina Lee Castro,
jsonline.com,
30 Aug. 2025
-
Despite all the troubling news and events around the world, there are still good things around us.—
Sam Woodward,
USA Today,
30 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Furthermore, a source close to Harry made clear how upsetting the findings were for him.—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
8 Aug. 2025
-
Practice saying no to things that aren’t in your best interest, and avoid engaging in triggering, negative, or upsetting conversations.—
Maia Niguel Hoskin,
Forbes.com,
31 July 2025
Adjective
-
Not sure what’s funnier and more disturbing, Sweet Tooth’s urine test coming back as a black goo, or Axel not allowing a blood sample, presumably because his blood is gasoline.—
Rafael Motamayor,
Vulture,
14 Aug. 2025
-
In the spring, Linda appeared in a disturbing social media video lifting the lid on the dysfunction in the family.—
Madeleine Marr,
Miami Herald,
13 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Erin has become an unusually large and deceptively worrisome storm while moving through the Caribbean, with its tropical storm winds stretching 230 miles (370 kilometers) from its core.—
John Seewer,
Chicago Tribune,
19 Aug. 2025
-
But Moran and Hicks squashed any late momentum, a worrisome trend for a team fighting for a postseason spot.—
Jen McCaffrey,
New York Times,
19 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Timothy Olyphant, with his bleached blond hair, looks like he was dragged right out of the 1970s, and makes for a deeply unsettling synthetic.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
19 Aug. 2025
-
This raises the unsettling question of what happens when a Democrat is elected President.—
Ruth Marcus,
New Yorker,
18 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Discouraging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/discouraging. Accessed 2 Sep. 2025.
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