discourage

[ dih-skur-ij, -skuhr- ]

verb (used with object)

, dis·cour·aged, dis·cour·ag·ing.

1. to deprive of courage, hope, or confidence; dishearten; dispirit.

   Synonyms: intimidate, cow, overawe, disparage, abash, deject, depress, daunt

   Antonyms: encourage

2. to dissuade (usually followed by from ).
3. to obstruct by opposition or difficulty; hinder:

   Low prices discourage industry.

4. to express or make clear disapproval of; frown upon:

   to discourage the expression of enthusiasm.

verb (used without object)

, dis·cour·aged, dis·cour·ag·ing.

1. to become discouraged:

   a person who discourages easily.

discourage

/ dɪsˈkʌrɪdʒ /

verb

1. to deprive of the will to persist in something
2. to inhibit; prevent

   this solution discourages rust

3. to oppose by expressing disapproval

Derived Forms

• disˈcourager, noun
• disˈcouragingly, adverb
• disˈcouragement, noun

Other Words From

• dis·cour·ag·er noun
• dis·cour·age·a·ble adjective
• dis·cour·ag·ing·ly adverb
• o·ver·dis·cour·age verb (used with object) overdiscouraged overdiscouraging
• pre·dis·cour·age verb (used with object) prediscouraged prediscouraging
• un·dis·cour·age·a·ble adjective
• un·dis·cour·ag·ing adjective
• un·dis·cour·ag·ing·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of discourage¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English discoragen, from Middle French descorager, Old French descoragier; dis- ¹, courage

Synonym Study

Discourage, dismay, intimidate mean to dishearten or frighten. To discourage is to dishearten by expressing disapproval or by suggesting that a contemplated action or course will probably fail: He was discouraged from going into business. To dismay is to dishearten completely: Her husband's philandering dismayed her. To intimidate is to frighten, as by threats of force, violence, or dire consequences: to intimidate a witness.

Example Sentences

Likewise, members of the massive 1D group on Reddit reminded members that “memorials are for fans, funerals are for family” and discouraged them from approaching the pop stars and mourners.

From Los Angeles Times

The government also wants to cut Right to Buy discounts back to pre-2012 levels and discourage social tenants from selling the homes they have bought.

From BBC

After winning power, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer scrapped the previous Tory government's plan to send some migrants to Rwanda, which aimed to discourage crossings.

From BBC

"Very, very discouraging to hit somebody that's not reacting to it. But that body shot, no matter how tough you are, the liver's the liver."

From BBC

Whatever his intention, for his safety and to discourage other former champions, hopefully the itch to get back in the ring has been scratched.

From BBC

Related Words

• alarm
• bother
• confuse
• dampen
• daunt
• demoralize
• depress
• dismay
• frighten
• intimidate
• irk
• scare
• trouble
• unnerve