discourage
[ dih-skur-ij, -skuhr- ]
/ dɪˈskɜr ɪdʒ, -ˈskʌr- /
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.
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SYNONYMS FOR discourage
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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.
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Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
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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 Forms
discouragement, noundiscourager, noundiscouragingly, adverbCollins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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