Showing Results for "discourages"

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.

Appeared in the February 6, 2026, print edition as 'An IRS Policy That Discourages Generosity'.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 5, 2026

Payment Issue Discourages Programmers To make it easier for consumers to make payments via Android handsets, a small group of companies last week introduced technology that would bypass the payment methods Google has approved.

From BusinessWeek • Oct. 25, 2010

"Discourages listeners," remarked Natalie, indicating the curtained doorway.

From Two on the Trail A Story of the Far Northwest by Potts, William Sherman