1
as in frustrates
to lessen the courage or confidence of
I didn't let losing discourage me from trying again
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in dissuades
to steer (a person) from an activity or course of action
the higher fines may help discourage drivers from speeding on the highway
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of discourages
Additionally, the International Atomic Energy Agency, an initiative of President Eisenhower, facilitates peaceful nuclear energy and discourages military pressures to get the weapon.
—
Arthur I. Cyr, Chicago Tribune, 10 Feb. 2026
Instead, the funds are being used to produce a narrative that diverts attention from a major public health issue and discourages the press from covering it.
—Eleanor M. Perfetto, STAT, 7 Feb. 2026
The way American buildings are heated and cooled actually discourages window opening.
—William Bahnfleth, The Conversation, 4 Feb. 2026
The travel watch still discourages unnecessary travel.
—Cheryl Vari, Cincinnati Enquirer, 26 Jan. 2026
TxDOT strongly discourages travel when snow or ice is on the road, and the same goes for airports.
—Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Jan. 2026
Road precautions The EMSA strongly discourages any type of travel, including driving, due to icy road conditions.
—Isa Almeida, Oklahoman, 22 Jan. 2026
Hearing no too often discourages participation.
—Kansas City Star, 16 Jan. 2026
Limiting who can buy homes shrinks the market and discourages construction.
—Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Jan. 2026
Arthur I. Cyr, Chicago Tribune, 10 Feb. 2026
Instead, the funds are being used to produce a narrative that diverts attention from a major public health issue and discourages the press from covering it.
—Eleanor M. Perfetto, STAT, 7 Feb. 2026
The way American buildings are heated and cooled actually discourages window opening.
—William Bahnfleth, The Conversation, 4 Feb. 2026
The travel watch still discourages unnecessary travel.
—Cheryl Vari, Cincinnati Enquirer, 26 Jan. 2026
TxDOT strongly discourages travel when snow or ice is on the road, and the same goes for airports.
—Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Jan. 2026
Road precautions The EMSA strongly discourages any type of travel, including driving, due to icy road conditions.
—Isa Almeida, Oklahoman, 22 Jan. 2026
Hearing no too often discourages participation.
—Kansas City Star, 16 Jan. 2026
Limiting who can buy homes shrinks the market and discourages construction.
—Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for discourages
Verb
-
Usually the offseason frustrates me.—
Chris Perkins,
Sun Sentinel,
3 Feb. 2026
-
Made almost entirely from screen recordings and captures, Their Eyes frustrates the viewer’s desire to see beyond the digital interface.—
Farren Fei Yuan,
Artforum,
1 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The tension between the audience wanting the best for Siaja while her community dissuades her is key to North of North’s appeal, and that all comes down to how strongly Lambe anchors the series around her.—
Kathryn VanArendonk,
Vulture,
1 Dec. 2025
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Taking away automatic renewal also dissuades employers from offering jobs to H-4 holders out of concerns about potential employment gaps, Peddibhotla added.—
Ethan Baron,
Mercury News,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
If French wine intimidates you, this is the perfect place to get over that fear.—
Noel Burgess,
Forbes.com,
22 Jan. 2026
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Independent groups like Human Rights Watch say the Venezuelan government intimidates human rights advocates, arrests and detains protesters and harasses journalists.—
Syra Ortiz Blanes,
Miami Herald,
14 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Collective action deters bullies Harvard never stood alone.—
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld,
Fortune,
1 Feb. 2026
-
The presence of thimerosal deters growth of any germs.—
Gabrielle Emanuel,
NPR,
30 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Discourages.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/discourages. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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