discourage
verb (used with object)
to deprive of courage, hope, or confidence; dishearten; dispirit.
has discouraged
-
present perfectof discourage (3rd person singular).present perfect
Used to describe actions that started in the past and continue into or have direct relevance to the present.
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.
A combination of high mortgage rates, years of tight housing supply and record-high prices has discouraged many would-be first-time buyers and repeat buyers.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 10, 2026
The secluded beauty spot sold at auction for £20,000 in September 2024 to Leisure Estate Investments Ltd, which has discouraged public access because of "inherent safety risks".
From BBC ● Jul. 20, 2026
He also has discouraged the city from raising taxes and pushed for other ways to make money, including hitting owners of empty properties with a vacancy tax.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 1, 2026
A protracted debt crisis in China's vast real-estate sector has discouraged would-be homebuyers from investing in property -- long a key store of wealth.
From Barron's ● Jan. 31, 2026
Russia's agricultural sector remains beset by uncertainty over land ownership rights, which has discouraged needed investment and restructuring.
From The 2001 CIA World Factbook by United States. Central Intelligence Agency
