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
Relevance
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
Examples Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of discourage
Other attempts by supporters to sway the party vote have been discouraged.
—
Reid J. Epstein, New York Times, 5 Jan. 2025
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
Allow the top two inches of soil to dry between watering, which helps discourage water-hungry weeds like sedges.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 1 Jan. 2025
Owners and trainers hope that will assuage concerns by lawmakers and regulators and discourage the kind of backlash that would hinder growth of the sport.
—Contessa Brewer, CNBC, 31 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for discourage 
Reid J. Epstein, New York Times, 5 Jan. 2025
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
Allow the top two inches of soil to dry between watering, which helps discourage water-hungry weeds like sedges.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 1 Jan. 2025
Owners and trainers hope that will assuage concerns by lawmakers and regulators and discourage the kind of backlash that would hinder growth of the sport.
—Contessa Brewer, CNBC, 31 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for discourage
Recent Examples of Synonyms for discourage
Verb
-
Rosenblatt set up the company after noticing that clubs and national governing bodies (NGBs) were getting frustrated at the lack of control and quality assurance when players sought external help.Sarah Shephard, The Athletic, 7 Jan. 2025
-
In southeastern Utah, the whipsaw of American politics is playing out on the ground, frustrating everyone, and with no end in sight.Ross Andersen, The Atlantic, 7 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Both times Biden was dissuaded by Democratic leaders from seeking the presidency, deferring to Hillary Clinton in 2016 and then passing the baton to Harris this year, Trump won the White House.W. James Antle III, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 30 Dec. 2024
-
With such an unstable organization, this could dissuade Vrabel from pursuing a head-coaching gig with New York.George Monastiriakos, Newsweek, 30 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
Tough competition, top golf Despite the strength of the field, Ribeiro says he isn’t intimidated and focuses on having fun while also trying to be competitive.Andy Frye, Forbes, 13 Jan. 2025
-
Henson admitted in 2015 that she was initially intimidated by the character on the primetime soap about a family of music moguls.Eric Andersson, People.com, 10 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
These financial challenges deter investment and hinder progress.Dan Perry, Newsweek, 2 Jan. 2025
-
Others have armed employees with body cameras to better deter theft.Francisco Velasquez, Quartz, 2 Jan. 2025
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
-
Never one to be daunted by what people might think, Lil Jon entered the holiday-song fray in 2018 with this thrashy holiday-party starter.Maura Johnston, Vulture, 19 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
Marina, frightened, fled the spa, almost leaving behind her shirt, and spent the next hour looking over her shoulder to see whether the woman had, in fact, called someone.Keith Gessen, The New Yorker, 10 Jan. 2025
-
Some frightened residents even abandoned their cars on one of the only roads in and out of the upscale Pacific Palisades area, fleeing on foot from the engulfing blaze.Saman Shafiq, USA TODAY, 8 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near discourage
Cite this Entry
“Discourage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/discourage. Accessed 18 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share