discourages

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.

Yet the reliance on federal funding discourages regular Catholics from giving and doing as much as they might—after all, government is already on the job.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 11, 2026

Taxing buildings and land together at the same rate discourages precisely the activity cities most need, namely new construction and redevelopment.

From Barron's • Apr. 17, 2026

While the manosphere discourages vulnerability, Khushal credits a "strong support system" and a focus on "empathy" for his own healing.

From BBC • Apr. 16, 2026

However, colonoscopies -- the primary screening method used today -- can be costly and uncomfortable, which discourages many people from getting tested on time.

From Science Daily • Apr. 9, 2026

Any system that constricts teachers—holds them to small-bore metrics, punishes them for forces outside their control, discourages their creativity and spontaneity, chips away at their humanity—is a bad system.

From "Drama High" by Michael Sokolove