discourage
verb (used with object)
to deprive of courage, hope, or confidence; dishearten; dispirit.
discourages
-
present tense formof discourage (3rd person singular).present tense
Used to describe things happening now or regularly.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Both processes could potentially help create an intestinal environment that discourages certain harmful bacteria and infections.
From Science Daily ● Sep. 28, 2026
"They work by absorbing fluid from superficial spots while creating a protective barrier that discourages picking," she explains.
From BBC ● Sep. 21, 2026
Criminalising suicide attempts discourages people from seeking urgent help, said Kingsley Okonoda, a professor of psychiatry at the University of Jos.
From Barron's ● Sep. 1, 2026
It’s a grim idea, that our hope is in a tool that discourages in-depth reading and a long-shot hypothetical strategy—both of which rely on technology known for sowing confusion.
From Slate ● Aug. 26, 2026
Abnegation discourages anything done strictly for my own enjoyment, and that is what this is: my lungs burning, my muscles aching, the fierce pleasure of a flat-out sprint.
From "Divergent" by Veronica Roth
