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Definitions

discourage

[dih-skur-ij, -skuhr-] / dɪˈskɜr ɪdʒ, -ˈskʌr- /
VERB
dishearten, dispirit
Synonyms
STRONGEST
alarm bother confuse dampen daunt demoralize depress dismay frighten intimidate irk scare trouble unnerve
STRONG
abash afflict awe bully chill cow dash deject deprecate disparage distress droop overawe prostrate repress try vex weigh
WEAK
beat down break one's heart cast down throw cold water on
Antonyms
STRONGEST
aid assist assure calm comfort encourage gladden hearten help inspirit make happy please reassure soothe stimulate uplift
STRONG
allow approve commend compliment laud praise
WEAK
inspire spur on
VERB
deter, dissuade; restrain
Synonyms
STRONGEST
curb frighten hinder impede inhibit prevent scare
STRONG
check chill control deprecate discountenance disfavor disincline divert indispose interfere obstruct quiet repress shake warn withhold
WEAK
disadvise hold back hold off keep back put off talk out of throw cold water on turn aside turn off
Antonyms
STRONGEST
advance aid allow assist calm comfort encourage facilitate forward help
STRONG
approve let go permit support
WEAK
hearten inspire inspirit spur on

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

That money can be used by officials to fund new affordable housing projects, and proponents hope the financial blow could discourage some owners from keeping their units empty.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 8, 2026

They kept saying the money was a gift and that they would support whatever decision we made, but at the same time, they repeatedly called and texted to discourage us.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 3, 2026

Surely, Jackson wrote, a state can direct doctors to discourage, and not encourage, smoking cigarettes.

From Slate • Mar. 31, 2026

But with the right tools, we can coax it to open just enough to align incentives, discourage harm and reward truth.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 20, 2026

And she never lets our apathy discourage her.

From "We Are the Ants" by Shaun David Hutchinson

Vocabulary lists containing discourage

"Creativity at Work" and "The Hidden Secrets of the Creative Mind"

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"Curtis Aikens and the American Dream" and "Go For It!"

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List 4

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