discouragement

[ dih-skur-ij-muhnt, -skuhr- ]

noun

1. an act or instance of discouraging.

   Antonyms: encouragement

2. the state of being discouraged.

   Synonyms: hopelessness, dejection, depression

   Antonyms: encouragement

3. something that discourages:

   Poor health and poverty are grave discouragements.

   Synonyms: obstruction, obstacle, impediment, damper, deterrent

   Antonyms: encouragement

Other Words From

• over·dis·courage·ment noun
• predis·courage·ment noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of discouragement¹

1555–65; < Middle French descouragement, Old French descoragement. See discourage, -ment

Synonym Study

See despair.

Example Sentences

Disparities like these are a function of our society's continued discouragement of girls pursuing studies and careers in STEM.

From Salon

They’ve got a 2-0 lead on the Pacers, who, if they weren’t as flustered in Game 2 as the Nuggets were on their home floor, are carrying some discouragement of their own.

From Seattle Times

It took away the power of Trump to control the narrative and induce his own style of “discouragement”.

From Salon

My speech remained the same, but my excitement evaporated into discouragement.

From Literature

Takes landing on the “not-so-good” side of the plate are accompanied by his passionate discouragement from leaving bad reviews based on his evaluations.

From Salon

Related Words

• hopelessness
• pessimism