Dictionary.com
definitions

discourage

[ dih-skur-ij, -skuhr- ]
/ dɪˈskɜr ɪdʒ, -ˈskʌr- /
||
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.

verb (used without object), dis·cour·aged, dis·cour·ag·ing.

to become discouraged: a person who discourages easily.

RELATED CONTENT

What does ✋ - Raised Hand Emoji mean?Read more in this article about some frequently asked questions and fun facts related to our definitions.
READ MORE
The Current And Confusing Language Of PoliticsRead more in this article about some frequently asked questions and fun facts related to our definitions.
READ MORE

RELATED WORDS

disappointing, dreary, depressing, gloomy, dismal, dispiriting, bleak, disheartening, black, deterring, dissuading, daunting, hindering, disadvantageous, inopportune, oppressive, unfavorable, unpropitious, depressive

Nearby words

  1. discount rate,
  2. discount store,
  3. discounted cash flow,
  4. discountenance,
  5. discounter,
  6. discouragement,
  7. discourse,
  8. discourse analysis,
  9. discourteous,
  10. discourtesy

Origin of discourage

1400–50; late Middle English discoragen < Middle French descorager, Old French descoragier. See dis-1, courage
ANTONYMS FOR discourage
1. encourage.
SEE MORE ANTONYMS FOR discourage ON THESAURUS.COM
Related forms

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. 2019

Examples from the Web for discouraging

British Dictionary definitions for discouraging

discourage

/ (dɪsˈkʌrɪdʒ) /

verb (tr)

to deprive of the will to persist in something
to inhibit; preventthis solution discourages rust
to oppose by expressing disapproval
Derived Formsdiscouragement, noundiscourager, noundiscouragingly, adverb
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for discouraging

discourage

v.

mid-15c., discoragen, from Middle French descourager, from Old French descoragier, from des- "away" (see dis-) + corage (see courage). Related: Discouraged; discouragement; discouraging.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper