discourage

[dih-skur-ij, -skuhr-]

verb (used with object)

discouraged, discouraging 

1. to deprive of courage, hope, or confidence; dishearten; dispirit.

   Synonyms: intimidate, cow, overawe, disparage, abash, deject, depress, daunt
   Antonyms: encourage

2. to dissuade (usually followed byfrom ).

3. to obstruct by opposition or difficulty; hinder.

   Low prices discourage industry.

4. to express or make clear disapproval of; frown upon.

   to discourage the expression of enthusiasm.

verb (used without object)

discouraged, discouraging 

1. to become discouraged.

   a person who discourages easily.

discourage

/ dɪsˈkʌrɪdʒ /

verb

1. to deprive of the will to persist in something

2. to inhibit; prevent

   this solution discourages rust

3. to oppose by expressing disapproval

Other Word Forms

• discourager noun
• discourageable adjective
• discouragingly adverb
• overdiscourage verb (used with object)
• prediscourage verb (used with object)
• undiscourageable adjective
• undiscouraging adjective
• undiscouragingly adverb
• discouragement noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of discourage¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English discoragen, from Middle French descorager, Old French descoragier; dis- ¹, courage

Synonym Study

Discourage, dismay, intimidate mean to dishearten or frighten. To discourage is to dishearten by expressing disapproval or by suggesting that a contemplated action or course will probably fail: He was discouraged from going into business. To dismay is to dishearten completely: Her husband's philandering dismayed her. To intimidate is to frighten, as by threats of force, violence, or dire consequences: to intimidate a witness.

Example Sentences

New York has long been an expensive and difficult place to build housing, and while Mamdani has ideas to boost supply, some, such as a rent freeze, will likely discourage supply and vacancies.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Reagan Conrad, who hosts “The Comments Section” podcast for the Daily Wire, discouraged egg freezing.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

He wouldn't discourage his children if they wanted to take on roles in the TV adaptation in the future, though.

Read more on BBC

"When I first spoke to scientists at the Cardamom Research Institute, they discouraged me. They said cardamom is too sensitive and difficult to grow organically."

Read more on BBC

Abandoning LNG in a premature push to adopt ammonia or methanol could undermine business continuity and discourage investments.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

• alarm 
• bother 
• confuse 
• dampen 
• daunt 
• demoralize 
• depress 
• dismay 
• frighten 
• intimidate 
• irk 
• scare 
• trouble 
• unnerve