1
as in to frustrate
to lessen the courage or confidence of
I didn't let losing discourage me from trying again
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to dissuade
to steer (a person) from an activity or course of action
the higher fines may help discourage drivers from speeding on the highway
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of discourage
Also of concern, endorsing conventions have sometimes descended into chaos, rancor and accusations of malfeasance, and the cost and complication involved with hosting conventions have discouraged volunteers.
—
Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 12 June 2025
Trump and China's Xi Jinping to speak soon, iron out trade fight, White House officials say
High childcare costs as well as job uncertainty and a slowing economy have discouraged many young Chinese from getting married and starting a family.
—Farah Master, USA Today, 10 June 2025
Lawmakers were discouraged from the Trump plan for two reasons: The cost would have been nearly $1 trillion over 10 years, and there was concern that the proposal wouldn’t survive a Senate procedural test.
—David Lightman, Sacbee.com, 9 June 2025
Hawaiian culture faced another crisis with the overthrow of the monarchy in 1893, which led to a decades-long period in which Hawaiians were discouraged from partaking in many traditions or even speaking their language.
—Sara Kehaulani Goo, The Atlantic, 6 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for discourage
Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 12 June 2025
Trump and China's Xi Jinping to speak soon, iron out trade fight, White House officials say
High childcare costs as well as job uncertainty and a slowing economy have discouraged many young Chinese from getting married and starting a family.
—Farah Master, USA Today, 10 June 2025
Lawmakers were discouraged from the Trump plan for two reasons: The cost would have been nearly $1 trillion over 10 years, and there was concern that the proposal wouldn’t survive a Senate procedural test.
—David Lightman, Sacbee.com, 9 June 2025
Hawaiian culture faced another crisis with the overthrow of the monarchy in 1893, which led to a decades-long period in which Hawaiians were discouraged from partaking in many traditions or even speaking their language.
—Sara Kehaulani Goo, The Atlantic, 6 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for discourage
Recent Examples of Synonyms for discourage
Verb
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Having borrowed the sand and surf motif from his surfer brother Dennis Wilson — the only surfer among the group — Brian later became inspired, and frustrated, by The Beatles’ evolving sound.—
Erik Pedersen,
Deadline,
11 June 2025
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But Nelson, clearly, is still frustrated by the decision to let such a talented player leave the team.—
Ben Church,
CNN Money,
9 June 2025
Verb
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In the series, Joss’ Ken dissuades Poehler’s peppy protagonist Leslie Knope from hosting a local festival on sacred burial grounds.—
Alexandra Del Rosario,
Los Angeles Times,
2 June 2025
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Still, if a rash can dissuade someone from vaccination, so, too, can misinformation, or an official’s decision to stop recommending a shot.—
Katherine J. Wu,
The Atlantic,
31 May 2025
Verb
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As intimidating as the private equity process may be for franchisors, the jargon and statistics that are a part of everyday franchise life are just as opaque to investors.—
Patrick Galleher,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2025
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Swatting is the criminal practice of calling law enforcement, particularly Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team, to someone's house in order to harass or intimidate them.—
Hannah Parry,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 June 2025
Verb
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The narrow means of challenging arbitration awards will likely deter attorneys who would otherwise jump at the chance to bring a lawsuit that would attract media attention.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
8 June 2025
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The cuts will disrupt ongoing research, ruin experiments and datasets, destroy the careers of aspiring scientists, and deter long-term investments at universities across the country.—
Michael T. Nietzel,
Forbes.com,
7 June 2025
Verb
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Understanding that misplacing items is a challenge daunting everyone – from reckless youth to sleepless parents, busy young adults, and the elderly – FindR stickers come in a kaleidoscope of sizes, colors, and finishes.—
Ethan Stone,
USA TODAY,
17 Jan. 2025
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Those hurdles don’t seem to be daunting Chinese carmakers, who exported 441,000 EVs, including hybrids, in the first quarter of this year, up more than 40% from the same period last year, according to the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers.—
Simone McCarthy,
CNN Money,
2 May 2025
Verb
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On May 18, Palmer and the cast attended the Shadyside High Senior Prom ’88 experience as guests explored versions of the gymnasium, lockers, girls’ bathroom and more locations designed to frighten fans.—
Ryan Gajewski,
HollywoodReporter,
23 May 2025
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What to know The Astra channel said that Tokarev, head of the military medical commission of the Ministry of Internal Affairs in Sevastopol, got frightened during an air raid alarm overnight on May 1 sparked by a Ukrainian drone barrage.—
Brendan Cole,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Discourage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/discourage. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.
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