Synonyms of throwing cold water on

throwing cold water on

phrase

present participle of throw cold water on

as in discouraging

to lessen the courage or confidence of

Her parents threw cold water on her dream of becoming a poet.

Synonyms & Similar Words

• discouraging
• frustrating
• disheartening
• daunting
• frightening
• unnerving
• intimidating
• chilling
• dispiriting
• horrifying
• bothering
• scaring
• bullying
• demoralizing
• unmanning
• troubling
• dismaying
• distressing
• worrying
• weighing
• afflicting
• trying
• depressing
• weakening
• undermining
• debilitating
• damping
• browbeating
• saddening
• cowing
• deadening
• dampening
• enfeebling
• vexing
• irking

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• encouraging
• heartening
• cheering
• reinforcing
• buoying (up)
• enforcing
• invigorating
• strengthening
• animating
• emboldening
• nerving
• steeling
• exciting
• reassuring
• lifting
• assuring
• gladdening
• stirring
• stimulating
• enlivening
• fortifying
• inspiring
• provoking
• rallying
• energizing
• quickening
• boosting
• galvanizing

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of throwing cold water on

The Gentlemen star Theo James is throwing cold water on reports of Meghan Markle joining the Netflix crime drama’s cast — yet is still leaving the door open to the possibility. — James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 2 Sep. 2026

As for freshman running backs Jonaz Walton and Javian Osborne, Denbrock complimented the four-star prospects’ potential while also throwing cold water on expectations for them this early in their careers. — Pete Sampson, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026