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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.

Market reaction: Treasury yields rose after the employment report on the assumption a stronger labor market could discourage the Fed from cutting interest rates.

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

The rejection didn’t discourage her, instead she was inspired by the level of talent and pushed by the networking.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 25, 2026

Fans have even launched campaigns to discourage resales and prevent "no-shows".

From BBC • Mar. 19, 2026

But that did not discourage him from running after us as though an invisible string existed between him and us.

From "Tasting the Sky" by Ibtisam Barakat

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.