as in demoralizing
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in frustrating
to lessen the courage or confidence of
I didn't let losing discourage me from trying again
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in dissuading
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
Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of discouraging
Miri Talabac, Baltimore Sun, 2 Jan. 2025
The administration's actions are seen as expanding federal control and discouraging state innovation in healthcare programs.
—Steve Brozak, Forbes, 31 Dec. 2024
Data indicates hundreds of popular titles have months-long waitlists — potentially discouraging library patrons and hurting circulation.
—Connor Giffin, The Courier-Journal, 26 Dec. 2024
For those who do report, the process is often re-traumatizing, further discouraging victims from seeking justice.
—Chloe Laws, Glamour, 19 Dec. 2024
Lawmakers hope to lower drug prices for patients, taxpayers and employers by discouraging those companies from steering patients toward more expensive drugs to bolster their own profits.
—Catie Edmondson, New York Times, 18 Dec. 2024
The report also accused Amazon of discouraging injured workers from seeking outside medical care.
—Juliana Kim, NPR, 16 Dec. 2024
Cornell University began withholding early acceptance data with the Class of 2024, saying the reason for the change was to avoid discouraging qualified applicants by focusing on narrow acceptance rates.
—Anna Esaki-Smith, Forbes, 13 Dec. 2024
Rejections can be discouraging, but a positive mindset is key to staying resilient in your job search.
—Dr. Cynthia J. Young, Forbes, 9 Dec. 2024
Verb
Indoor humidity levels are low in winter, and a room humidifier can help plants avoid stress while discouraging pests like spider mites.
—Miri Talabac, Baltimore Sun, 2 Jan. 2025
The administration's actions are seen as expanding federal control and discouraging state innovation in healthcare programs.
—Steve Brozak, Forbes, 31 Dec. 2024
Data indicates hundreds of popular titles have months-long waitlists — potentially discouraging library patrons and hurting circulation.
—Connor Giffin, The Courier-Journal, 26 Dec. 2024
For those who do report, the process is often re-traumatizing, further discouraging victims from seeking justice.
—Chloe Laws, Glamour, 19 Dec. 2024
Lawmakers hope to lower drug prices for patients, taxpayers and employers by discouraging those companies from steering patients toward more expensive drugs to bolster their own profits.
—Catie Edmondson, New York Times, 18 Dec. 2024
The report also accused Amazon of discouraging injured workers from seeking outside medical care.
—Juliana Kim, NPR, 16 Dec. 2024
Cornell University began withholding early acceptance data with the Class of 2024, saying the reason for the change was to avoid discouraging qualified applicants by focusing on narrow acceptance rates.
—Anna Esaki-Smith, Forbes, 13 Dec. 2024
Rejections can be discouraging, but a positive mindset is key to staying resilient in your job search.
—Dr. Cynthia J. Young, Forbes, 9 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for discouraging
Adjective
-
Americans, and a dismaying number of politicians, keep crying for a crackdown on crimes that aren’t happening.—
F.K. Plous,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Jan. 2025
-
The late President’s priorities were remarkably prescient, and his personal qualities offered a dismaying contrast to so much of the present state of American politics.—
Erin Neil,
The New Yorker,
30 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
Cal Fire has issued a red flag warning for the region, which is at risk of extreme wildfires fueled by daunting Santa Ana winds, low humidity and critically dry fuels.—
Anthony Robledo,
USA TODAY,
8 Jan. 2025
-
The United States does face its own daunting array of problems abroad and at home, but these pale in comparison to those China faces.—
Jude Blanchette,
Foreign Affairs,
7 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
This new era of AI can feel intimidating for the limited, human life forms that created it.—
Marc Zao-Sanders,
Harvard Business Review,
17 Dec. 2024
-
Only six years older than Crystal, the comedian still found Scorsese intimidating.—
Lester Fabian Brathwaite,
EW.com,
16 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
Their pass protection has been just as troublesome, while quarterback C.J. Stroud has been good this year but has taken a step back from his rookie form last season.—
Jesse Newell,
Kansas City Star,
17 Jan. 2025
-
Sasaki continuing the trend of rejection is troublesome moving forward, especially next season.—
James O'Connell,
New York Daily News,
14 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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This gender disparity is particularly troubling given that 79% of working women—compared with 58% of working men—are in occupations susceptible to generative AI disruption.—
Bernard Marr,
Forbes,
24 Jan. 2025
-
Those tapes, and Sampson’s 38-page criminal history — including charges never even pursued by prosecutors — raise some troubling questions about the conduct of the city’s police officers.—
JULIE K. BROWN,
Miami Herald,
23 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
The Lions resume their quest for the franchise’s first Super Bowl trip following last week’s bye, and the Commanders try to keep the magic flowing a week after upsetting Tampa Bay 23-20 in a thrilling wild-card victory.—
Mike Jones,
The Athletic,
18 Jan. 2025
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There is also the risk of upsetting Trump, and the president's whims are something tech companies have so far showed a willingness to bend to.—
Maria Curi,
Axios,
16 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Nakamura, the father, was interned along with his Japanese American family during WWII, a shameful and disturbing period in 20th-century American history that has never been fully acknowledged or dealt with on a national level.—
Murtada Elfadl,
Variety,
27 Jan. 2025
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This is a dark and disturbing script that, circa 1996, would have been better handled by Darren Aronofsky or David Fincher.—
Brian Smolensky and James Mercadante,
EW.com,
27 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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With the number of chicken and turkey farms having increased since then, the volume of poultry waste has become worrisome, environmentalists say.—
Gavin Off,
Charlotte Observer,
26 Jan. 2025
-
The truly worrisome facet is that scammers and con artists are going to use generative AI in this way.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes,
22 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near discouraging
Cite this Entry
“Discouraging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/discouraging. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.
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