discourage
verb
dis·cour·age di-ˈskər-ij 
-ˈskə-rij
discouraged; discouraging
transitive verb
1
: to deprive of courage or confidence : dishearten
was discouraged by repeated failure
2
a
: to hinder by disfavoring
trying to discourage absenteeism
b
: to dissuade or attempt to dissuade from doing something
tried to discourage her from going
discourageable
di-ˈskər-i-jə-bəl
adjective -ˈskə-ri-
discourager noun
discouragingly
di-ˈskər-i-jiŋ-lē
adverb -ˈkə-ri-
Synonyms
- chill
- daunt
- demoralize
- dishearten
- dismay
- dispirit
- frustrate
- unman
- unnerve
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Try not to let losing discourage you. The area's dry climate discourages agriculture. He claims the new regulations will discourage investment. That type of behavior ought to be discouraged.
Recent Examples on the Web Some wealthy European nations, like Norway, have weather and terrain that discourage widespread bicycle use. 
John Timmer, Ars Technica, 18 Aug. 2022 This is usually accomplished by lowering tax rates that discourage work or investment, or by relaxing regulations that prohibit or slow down production. James Broughel, Forbes, 2 Aug. 2022 There’s all these things that will discourage people. Alison Cross, Hartford Courant, 30 July 2022 The lawsuit claimed the new law violates the state constitution with restrictions that will discourage potentially life-saving pregnancy health care in Wyoming, forcing pregnant women to go to other states for necessary procedures. From Usa Today Network And Wire Reports, USA TODAY, 27 July 2022 Fueling Tampa's rent increases are thousands of people relocating to the area during the pandemic, as well as rising interest rates that discourage buyers and few protections for tenants. Mark Strassmann, CBS News, 25 July 2022 As a principal in the company, Don Jr., along with his other partners, would appear to be responsible for the debt and could be prosecuted, according to IRS and DOJ web pages that discourage the practice. Joe Rubin, The New Republic, 21 July 2022 The Biden administration has forged ahead in trying to strike an agreement on a global minimum tax that would discourage companies from taking advantage of low-tax havens. Tony Romm, BostonGlobe.com, 7 July 2022 Hopefully, that would discourage some of the open-air drug markets that seem to keep cropping up, residents said. Lea Skene, Baltimore Sun, 7 June 2022 See More
John Timmer, Ars Technica, 18 Aug. 2022 This is usually accomplished by lowering tax rates that discourage work or investment, or by relaxing regulations that prohibit or slow down production. James Broughel, Forbes, 2 Aug. 2022 There’s all these things that will discourage people. Alison Cross, Hartford Courant, 30 July 2022 The lawsuit claimed the new law violates the state constitution with restrictions that will discourage potentially life-saving pregnancy health care in Wyoming, forcing pregnant women to go to other states for necessary procedures. From Usa Today Network And Wire Reports, USA TODAY, 27 July 2022 Fueling Tampa's rent increases are thousands of people relocating to the area during the pandemic, as well as rising interest rates that discourage buyers and few protections for tenants. Mark Strassmann, CBS News, 25 July 2022 As a principal in the company, Don Jr., along with his other partners, would appear to be responsible for the debt and could be prosecuted, according to IRS and DOJ web pages that discourage the practice. Joe Rubin, The New Republic, 21 July 2022 The Biden administration has forged ahead in trying to strike an agreement on a global minimum tax that would discourage companies from taking advantage of low-tax havens. Tony Romm, BostonGlobe.com, 7 July 2022 Hopefully, that would discourage some of the open-air drug markets that seem to keep cropping up, residents said. Lea Skene, Baltimore Sun, 7 June 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English discoragen, from Middle French descorager, from Old French descoragier, from des- dis- + corage courage
First Known Use
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Kids Definition
discourage
verb
dis·cour·age dis-ˈkər-ij
discouraged; discouraging
1
: to make less determined, hopeful, or confident
Yet another failed attempt didn't discourage him.
2
: to make less likely to happen
The law discourages speeding.
3
: to try to persuade not to do something Don't let them discourage you from trying out.
discourage
verb
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
- frustrate
- dishearten
- intimidate
- daunt
- dispirit
- frighten
- scare
- unnerve
- demoralize
- dismay
- horrify
- bother
- browbeat
- trouble
- worry
- try
- unman
- afflict
- undermine
- sadden
- throw cold water on
- bully
- weigh
- chill
- irk
- distress
- depress
- debilitate
- weaken
- deaden
- cow
- dampen
- vex
- enfeeble
- damp
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- encourage
- nerve
- steel
- enforce
- cheer
- reinforce
- assure
- embolden
- strengthen
- enliven
- hearten
- stimulate
- animate
- reassure
- fortify
- provoke
- inspire
- buoy (up)
- gladden
- invigorate
- excite
- lift
- stir
- energize
- boost
- quicken
- reenforce
- rally
- galvanize
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
- dissuade
- deter
- inhibit
- divert
- unsell
- repel
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- encourage
- persuade
- urge
- induce
- egg (on)
- exhort
- goad
- prompt
- prod
- impel