discourage

verb

dis·​cour·​age di-ˈskər-ij 

-ˈskə-rij

discouraged; discouraging

transitive verb

1

: to deprive of courage or confidence : dishearten

was discouraged by repeated failure

2

a

: to hinder by disfavoring

trying to discourage absenteeism

b

: to dissuade or attempt to dissuade from doing something

tried to discourage her from going

discourageable

di-ˈskər-i-jə-bəl 

-ˈskə-ri-

adjective

discourager noun

discouragingly

di-ˈskər-i-jiŋ-lē 

-ˈkə-ri-

adverb

Synonyms

• chill
• daunt
• demoralize
• dishearten
• dismay
• dispirit
• frustrate
• unman
• unnerve

Examples of discourage in a Sentence

Try not to let losing discourage you.

The area's dry climate discourages agriculture.

He claims the new regulations will discourage investment.

That type of behavior ought to be discouraged.

Recent Examples on the Web

This dual approach—discouraging harmful choices while promoting affordable, nutritious alternatives—has the potential to reshape America’s food environment and improve public health for generations to come. —Robert Pearl, Forbes, 9 Dec. 2024

Floating buoys, separated by saw-like sheets of metal, have been in a bid to discourage river crossings. —Martha McHardy, Newsweek, 7 Dec. 2024

Tickets will surely sell out, but don’t be completely discouraged—visit the standby line to claim the spot of whoever is unlucky enough to miss this show. —The New Yorker, 6 Dec. 2024

Another holds monthly meetings with Watonga’s Native high school students during lunch hours to discourage underage drinking and drug use. —Felix Clary, The Christian Science Monitor, 3 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English discoragen, from Middle French descorager, from Old French descoragier, from des- dis- + corage courage

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

discourage

verb

dis·​cour·​age dis-ˈkər-ij 

-ˈkə-rij

discouraged; discouraging

1

: to lessen the courage or confidence of : dishearten

didn't let losing discourage me

2

a

: to make less likely or appealing : deter

laws that discourage speeding

b

: to advise against a course of action : dissuade

discouraged careless work

discouragingly

-iŋ-lē 

adverb