1
as in to frustrate
to lessen the courage or confidence of
I didn't let losing discourage me from trying again
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to dissuade
to steer (a person) from an activity or course of action
the higher fines may help discourage drivers from speeding on the highway
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of discourage
Any effort that artificially redirects investment — whether by encouraging or discouraging specific businesses — distorts that balance and weakens our energy grid’s long-term resilience, which is already deeply in need of investment.
—
Mario Lopez, Boston Herald, 29 May 2025
The results discouraged new ventures into paraparticles for decades, with one exception.
—Shalma Wegsman, Wired News, 25 May 2025
But by venturing deeper into Pakistan and hitting a broad array of targets, India also wanted to reestablish deterrence and discourage Pakistan’s military from backing militant groups active in Indian territory.
—Aqil Shah, Foreign Affairs, 23 May 2025
Dimon, a heavyweight of traditional finance, has consistently used his perch to discourage regular investors and other financial leaders from getting involved.
—Andrew R. Chow, Time, 20 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for discourage
Mario Lopez, Boston Herald, 29 May 2025
The results discouraged new ventures into paraparticles for decades, with one exception.
—Shalma Wegsman, Wired News, 25 May 2025
But by venturing deeper into Pakistan and hitting a broad array of targets, India also wanted to reestablish deterrence and discourage Pakistan’s military from backing militant groups active in Indian territory.
—Aqil Shah, Foreign Affairs, 23 May 2025
Dimon, a heavyweight of traditional finance, has consistently used his perch to discourage regular investors and other financial leaders from getting involved.
—Andrew R. Chow, Time, 20 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for discourage
Recent Examples of Synonyms for discourage
Verb
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Musk was reportedly frustrated about OpenAI being part of the deal and allegedly warned G42 officials on a call that Trump would not sign off on a deal unless his company xAI was included.—
Siladitya Ray,
Forbes.com,
29 May 2025
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His Democratic Party predecessor, Moon Jae-in, had three years with a near supermajority in the legislature but had his agenda frustrated by party colleagues with little appetite for painful corrective measures.—
Charlie Campbell,
Time,
29 May 2025
Verb
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Image Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries by Heather Fawcett Don’t let Emily Wilde’s practical-seeming diary entries dissuade you: Fawcett’s novel, the first book in a series, is witty, frank and incredibly endearing.—
Ashley Poston,
New York Times,
21 May 2025
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The dissuading a witness charge against the father stems from what the prosecution said allegedly happened after the boy stopped breathing and his mother carried his limp body upstairs.—
Rosalio Ahumada,
Sacbee.com,
14 May 2025
Verb
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Democrats have said the Trump administration is trying to intimidate them out of performing their role overseeing how the executive branch implements laws.—
Sarah D. Wire,
USA Today,
23 May 2025
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The guys who are willing to intimidate by hurting people will always win.—
Michael Russo,
New York Times,
21 May 2025
Verb
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However, a slew of challenges arise, deterring their relationship — and hilarity ensues.—
Emily Burns,
Footwear News,
29 May 2025
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Currently, 28,500 American troops are stationed in South Korea as part of a longstanding commitment to deter threats from North Korea.—
Amanda Castro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 May 2025
Verb
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Understanding that misplacing items is a challenge daunting everyone – from reckless youth to sleepless parents, busy young adults, and the elderly – FindR stickers come in a kaleidoscope of sizes, colors, and finishes.—
Ethan Stone,
USA TODAY,
17 Jan. 2025
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Those hurdles don’t seem to be daunting Chinese carmakers, who exported 441,000 EVs, including hybrids, in the first quarter of this year, up more than 40% from the same period last year, according to the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers.—
Simone McCarthy,
CNN Money,
2 May 2025
Verb
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By sharing a visual insight into their space, Spencer hopes people won’t be frightened by the unknown.—
Jazz Tangcay,
Variety,
22 May 2025
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Meanwhile, in the real world, Netflix’s release strategy continues to frighten and confuse.—
Ben Rosenstock,
Vulture,
19 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Discourage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/discourage. Accessed 5 Jun. 2025.
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