discouragement

[dih-skur-ij-muhnt, -skuhr-]

noun

1. an act or instance of discouraging.

   Antonyms: encouragement

2. the state of being discouraged.

   Synonyms: hopelessness, dejection, depression
   Antonyms: encouragement

3. something that discourages.

   Poor health and poverty are grave discouragements.

   Synonyms: obstruction, obstacle, impediment, damper, deterrent
   Antonyms: encouragement

Other Word Forms

• overdiscouragement noun
• prediscouragement noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of discouragement¹

1555–65; < Middle French descouragement, Old French descoragement. See discourage, -ment

Synonym Study

See despair.

Example Sentences

The moments of discouragement are so heavy in this industry.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

“Starting out in the workforce is already intimidating, and layering on economic instability can easily lead to feelings of stress and discouragement,” said Courtney Alev, a consumer financial advocate for Credit Karma.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

I want to address the discouragement and fear that many who care about democracy and peace and human rights are feeling in America and around the world right now.

Read more on Salon

Disparities like these are a function of our society's continued discouragement of girls pursuing studies and careers in STEM.

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They’ve got a 2-0 lead on the Pacers, who, if they weren’t as flustered in Game 2 as the Nuggets were on their home floor, are carrying some discouragement of their own.

Read more on Seattle Times

Related Words

• hopelessness 
• pessimism