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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of discourage
He’s also discouraged other teams from being able to get to the paint with his size and athleticism and activity.
—
Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 3 Feb. 2025
Lawmakers from Maryland and Virginia believe the recent commercial jet collision with a military helicopter over the Potomac River on Wednesday will discourage any further flight expansions in one of the nation’s most congested air corridors.
—Samantha-Jo Roth, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 2 Feb. 2025
If things don’t go according to plan, don’t be discouraged.
—Valerie Mesa, People.com, 1 Feb. 2025
Dreams, not surprisingly, that Hank takes every opportunity to discourage.
—Joe Leydon, Variety, 31 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for discourage 
Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 3 Feb. 2025
Lawmakers from Maryland and Virginia believe the recent commercial jet collision with a military helicopter over the Potomac River on Wednesday will discourage any further flight expansions in one of the nation’s most congested air corridors.
—Samantha-Jo Roth, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 2 Feb. 2025
If things don’t go according to plan, don’t be discouraged.
—Valerie Mesa, People.com, 1 Feb. 2025
Dreams, not surprisingly, that Hank takes every opportunity to discourage.
—Joe Leydon, Variety, 31 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for discourage
Recent Examples of Synonyms for discourage
Verb
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When UConn hosted Creighton – which is now in what seems to be a two-horse race with St. John’s for the Big East regular season title – Hurley was frustrated with his team’s defense and its tenacity on the backboards.—
Joe Arruda,
Hartford Courant,
10 Feb. 2025
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In fact, Kansas Republicans were frustrated by Washington infighting over the new president's agenda.—
Justin Gest,
Newsweek,
10 Feb. 2025
Verb
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The foster moms scattered the worms out on the airfield, whenever the ibises completed a flight, to dissuade them from flying away again.—
Nick Paumgarten,
The New Yorker,
10 Feb. 2025
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Days before the Philadelphia Eagles take on the Kansas City Chiefs in the Super Bowl, Philadelphia’s mayor sought to dissuade celebrating fans from climbing light poles or onto other equipment.—
Phil Helsel,
NBC News,
7 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
He's not intimidated by operating in the shadow of such giants.—
Mackensy Lunsford,
The Tennessean,
18 Feb. 2025
-
Yeah, Larkin, 10 years older, sure wasn’t intimidated Saturday night.—
Michael Russo,
The Athletic,
16 Feb. 2025
Verb
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In the years following Hamas’ rise, Israel sought to deter attacks emanating from Gaza.—
Jane Harman,
TIME,
9 Feb. 2025
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Lawmakers say that the harsh punishments are necessary to deter students from making hoax threats that frighten students and teachers and waste time and resources to investigate.—
Aliyya Swaby,
ProPublica,
8 Feb. 2025
Verb
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This does not daunt organizers of the current recall, the eighth attempt to oust Newsom since his election in 2018.—
Thomas D. Elias,
Orange County Register,
14 Feb. 2025
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The day that East High School students came back from winter break we were all jarred by daunting 12-foot stalls, the main emotion of disturbance coming from girls.—
Mattison Nunez,
The Denver Post,
5 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Thousands of residents and visitors have left Santorini, frightened by the earthquakes measuring between magnitude 3 and magnitude 5 in the area since the weekend.—
Elena Becatoros,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Feb. 2025
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President Trump did no one any favors and his irresponsible accusations were meant to confuse and spread an unfounded conspiracy while both trying to score political points as well as frighten the flying public needlessly.—
Michael B. Teiger,
Hartford Courant,
31 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near discourage
Cite this Entry
“Discourage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/discourage. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
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