discourage

verb

di-ˈskər-ij How to pronounce discourage (audio)
Definition of discouragenext
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

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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

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of discourage But others support the changes, saying the more car-centric configuration discourages pedestrians and cyclists while making traffic more dangerous. — Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 22 Oct. 2026 Critics say the tax would hurt job growth and discourage companies from coming to Chicago. — Darius Johnson, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026 If the two Jewish brothers did both end up with the two gentile sisters, that would make its own, somewhat discouraging statement on the latter issue. — Judy Berman, Time, 22 Oct. 2026 That kind of existential drive can’t be discouraged by an extra 75 basis points of bond interest. — Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 20 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for discourage
Recent Examples of Synonyms for discourage
  1. frustrate
  2. dissuade
  3. intimidate
  4. deter
  5. daunt
  6. frighten
Verb
  • Some of his closest Middle East advisers, including his son-in-law Jared Kushner, had grown frustrated with the Israeli leader.
    — Eric Cortellessa, Time, 25 Oct. 2026
  • Luka Doncic’s nonstop arguments with officials and trash talk may frustrate opponents, but his theatrical edge is part of what makes the Lakers star so compelling.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of frustrate
Verb
  • But there’s little evidence that long runtimes are dissuading moviegoers.
    — Jake Coyle, Chicago Tribune, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Higher interest rates are a pain, but not enough to dissuade them from building.
    — John Towfighi, CNN Money, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of dissuade
Verb
  • Politicians could no longer rely on local patrons to intimidate people into voting for them and had to compete on representing their interests.
    — Asim Ali, Time, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Drivers who intimidate on purpose are surprisingly plentiful.
    — Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of intimidate
Verb
  • Cubans have protested the constant blackouts and their poor living conditions throughout the year, but the protests have remained contained, and the government crackdown that usually follows has deterred many from joining in.
    — Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Reuters reported in June 2025 that Taiwan was working with commercial manufacturers on sea drones as part of efforts to deter a possible Chinese invasion.
    — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of deter
Verb
  • The stairs had become untenable for Corcoran’s husband, but the prospect of another renovation was daunting.
    — David Foxley, Architectural Digest, 21 Oct. 2026
  • The patriarchal, academic, hierarchical setting of hospitals, particularly university hospitals, is overwhelmingly daunting for me.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of daunt
Verb
  • For Cox and Walker, the challenge was to introduce horror-film conventions without frightening the franchise’s youngest viewers.
    — Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Guitarricadelafuente said he was initially frightened by the prospect of acting in La Bola Negra.
    — Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of frighten

Browse Nearby Words

discounts
discourage
discouraged
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Cite this Entry

“Discourage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/discourage. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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