discourage [dih-skur -ij, -skuhr -]
Synonyms Examples Word Origin
See more synonyms for discourage on Thesaurus.com verb (used with object), dis·cour·aged, dis·cour·ag·ing. to deprive of courage, hope, or confidence; dishearten; dispirit. to dissuade (usually followed by from ). to obstruct by opposition or difficulty; hinder: Low prices discourage industry. to express or make clear disapproval of; frown upon: to discourage the expression of enthusiasm. Show More
verb (used without object), dis·cour·aged, dis·cour·ag·ing. to become discouraged: a person who discourages easily. Show More
Origin of discourage 1400–50; late Middle English discoragen <
Middle French descorager, Old French descoragier. See
dis-1 ,
courage Related forms dis·cour·ag·er , noun dis·cour·age·a·ble , adjective dis·cour·ag·ing·ly , adverb o·ver·dis·cour·age , verb (used with object), o·ver·dis·cour·aged, o·ver·dis·cour·ag·ing. pre·dis·cour·age , verb (used with object), pre·dis·cour·aged, pre·dis·cour·ag·ing. un·dis·cour·age·a·ble , adjective un·dis·cour·aged , adjective un·dis·cour·ag·ing , adjective un·dis·cour·ag·ing·ly , adverb Synonym study 1 . 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.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Related Words for discouraged depressed ,
pessimistic ,
crestfallen ,
dismayed ,
blue ,
down ,
dispirited ,
beat ,
dashed ,
deterred ,
daunted ,
downbeat ,
downcast ,
glum ,
sad ,
beat-down Examples from the Web for discouraged Contemporary Examples of discouraged Press are also discouraged from asking and shouting out questions at the Royals during press calls.
Jackson says that at first, her parents thought it was strange and discouraged her from getting into Korean pop stars.
Perhaps even the indefatigable John Kerry might be discouraged from more futile and dispiriting peace talks.
Its contracted readership has not discouraged a larger group, maybe more than ever before, from writing it.
Another powerful woman has been discouraged from speaking on campus.
Historical Examples of discouraged But he was not discouraged ; he was merely changing his tactics.
Notwithstanding their gentleness, during the first year the Huberts were often discouraged .
So easily is the humanity of the rich and great disgusted and discouraged !
The latter had given Cooke fresh hopes of success when he was worn and discouraged .
Discouraged and disgusted with the theatre, my passion for sculpture increased.
British Dictionary definitions for discouraged to deprive of the will to persist in something to inhibit; prevent this solution discourages rust to oppose by expressing disapproval Show More
Derived Forms discouragement , noun discourager , noun discouragingly , adverb Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for discouraged v. mid-15c., discoragen , from Middle French descourager , from Old French descoragier , from des- "away" (see dis- ) + corage (see courage ). Related: Discouraged ; discouragement ; discouraging .
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
