discourage
verb (used with object)
to deprive of courage, hope, or confidence; dishearten; dispirit.
discouraging
-
present participleof discourage.present participle
A verb form that is used in progressive verb constructions and may also function as a modifier or a gerund.
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.
The sight of vacant shops and graffiti can quickly become a vicious circle, deterring shoppers, discouraging investment and leading to anti-social behaviour.
From BBC ● Sep. 27, 2026
To do so means overcoming obstacles that are cataloged with a discouraging ease: The apprenticeships, the unpaid hours, the creation of a style, the cultivating of clients, the marketing.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 1, 2026
Offensive line coach Butch Barry must quickly figure out his unit’s direction, as Week 1 of the regular season is less than a month away and Biadasz’s health status appears discouraging.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 19, 2026
That could undermine the vaccine’s financial viability, a de facto way of discouraging Moderna from continuing to market it.
From Slate ● Aug. 6, 2026
“What a greeting I receive after a discouraging day battling for my very existence on the streets of this savage town.”
From "A Confederacy of Dunces" by John Kennedy Toole
