1
as in frustrating
to lessen the courage or confidence of
I didn't let losing discourage me from trying again
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in dissuading
to steer (a person) from an activity or course of action
the higher fines may help discourage drivers from speeding on the highway
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in demoralizing
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of discouraging
Adam Grosbard, Oc Register, 18 Oct. 2025
This will be a discouraging experience for you.
—Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 18 Oct. 2025
Australia’s 1-0 win at Stade Saputo Friday night handed the Canada head coach his first loss on home soil, getting the October international window off to a discouraging start.
—Joshua Kloke, New York Times, 11 Oct. 2025
Kindling his broad grin and clean laughter brightened even the most discouraging day.
—Jim Moore, Outdoor Life, 8 Oct. 2025
My father was very discouraging about it, too.
—Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 24 Sep. 2025
At the same time, the Edinburgh publishers Oliver and Boyd brought out an anthology called The Door of Youth—A Selection of Poems from Edinburgh School Magazines, with a discouraging preface by John Buchan.
—Frances Wilson
september 23, Literary Hub, 23 Sep. 2025
The examples of Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, where life after revolution is replete with bitterness and recrimination, are profoundly discouraging.
—Kapil Komireddi, New Yorker, 22 Sep. 2025
The Red Sox suffered a discouraging 5-3 loss to the Athletics, who clinched the three-game series and handed Boston its eighth defeat in the last 13 games.
—Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 18 Sep. 2025
Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Oct. 2025
Trump is attacking immigration at both ends of spectrum, deporting low-wage laborers and discouraging skilled foreigners from bringing their talents to the United States.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2025
In many faith traditions, mental health can be a stigmatized topic, discouraging open dialogue for those struggling with issues like depression or anxiety.
—Lauren Costantino, Miami Herald, 16 Oct. 2025
Nevertheless, disagreements with family members might be discouraging.
—Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 15 Oct. 2025
But far from discouraging him, her comment became the inception of a −very sweet− journey.
—Paula Soria, AZCentral.com, 14 Oct. 2025
Meanwhile, Beijing has reportedly been discouraging local firms from buying Nvidia chips.
—Arjun Kharpal, CNBC, 10 Oct. 2025
The entire crop of players with serious money left on their deals endured long, discouraging stretches this season where their contracts looked like albatrosses.
—Grant Brisbee, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025
What Type Of Fertilizer To Use Choose a slow-release or low-nitrogen fertilizer that’s high in potassium to nourish the roots while discouraging new growth as the lawn prepares for winter.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 9 Oct. 2025
Verb
The Rams want to go into their bye week with a win after two straight years entering their off week coming off a discouraging loss.
—Adam Grosbard, Oc Register, 18 Oct. 2025
This will be a discouraging experience for you.
—Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 18 Oct. 2025
Australia’s 1-0 win at Stade Saputo Friday night handed the Canada head coach his first loss on home soil, getting the October international window off to a discouraging start.
—Joshua Kloke, New York Times, 11 Oct. 2025
Kindling his broad grin and clean laughter brightened even the most discouraging day.
—Jim Moore, Outdoor Life, 8 Oct. 2025
My father was very discouraging about it, too.
—Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 24 Sep. 2025
At the same time, the Edinburgh publishers Oliver and Boyd brought out an anthology called The Door of Youth—A Selection of Poems from Edinburgh School Magazines, with a discouraging preface by John Buchan.
—Frances Wilson
september 23, Literary Hub, 23 Sep. 2025
The examples of Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, where life after revolution is replete with bitterness and recrimination, are profoundly discouraging.
—Kapil Komireddi, New Yorker, 22 Sep. 2025
The Red Sox suffered a discouraging 5-3 loss to the Athletics, who clinched the three-game series and handed Boston its eighth defeat in the last 13 games.
—Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 18 Sep. 2025
Adjective
The opposing view is that discouraging tourists could hurt local economies that rely on them.
—Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Oct. 2025
Trump is attacking immigration at both ends of spectrum, deporting low-wage laborers and discouraging skilled foreigners from bringing their talents to the United States.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2025
In many faith traditions, mental health can be a stigmatized topic, discouraging open dialogue for those struggling with issues like depression or anxiety.
—Lauren Costantino, Miami Herald, 16 Oct. 2025
Nevertheless, disagreements with family members might be discouraging.
—Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 15 Oct. 2025
But far from discouraging him, her comment became the inception of a −very sweet− journey.
—Paula Soria, AZCentral.com, 14 Oct. 2025
Meanwhile, Beijing has reportedly been discouraging local firms from buying Nvidia chips.
—Arjun Kharpal, CNBC, 10 Oct. 2025
The entire crop of players with serious money left on their deals endured long, discouraging stretches this season where their contracts looked like albatrosses.
—Grant Brisbee, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025
What Type Of Fertilizer To Use Choose a slow-release or low-nitrogen fertilizer that’s high in potassium to nourish the roots while discouraging new growth as the lawn prepares for winter.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 9 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for discouraging
Verb
-
Last week, Phypers was arrested in court and charged with four felonies — two counts of injuring a spouse and two counts of dissuading a witness by force or threat.—
Sarah Sotoodeh,
FOXNews.com,
24 Oct. 2025
-
Phypers is facing criminal charges, including two counts of injuring a spouse, cohabitant, fiancé, boyfriend, girlfriend or child's parent; and two counts of dissuading a witness by force or threat.—
Liza Esquibias,
PEOPLE,
18 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The work—in a way, a series of encounters with random elements of one-click consumerism, including coloring books and marketing guides for dentists—is tedious, repetitive, and demoralizing.—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
22 Oct. 2025
-
The loss was more demoralizing than being held to just 11 rushing yards.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
20 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
To see a government shut down on the heels of that progress is disheartening, Explore Asheville CEO Vic Isley said.—
Briah Lumpkins,
Charlotte Observer,
3 Oct. 2025
-
Though disheartening, its abrupt cancellation wasn’t uncommon, especially for television shows that featured Black talent.—
Essence,
Essence,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The France native didn’t slow down in the second half, notching his fifth 40-point game, dominating both sides of the court and deterring players from the paint.—
Lawrence Dow,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
23 Oct. 2025
-
But some experts have expressed concerns that the staggering H-1B fee could have a chilling effect long-term, deterring students who want to work under other employment visas, and impacting critical industries which depend on STEM graduates like tech, healthcare and energy.—
Ivan Watson,
CNN Money,
21 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
On top of this dismaying thought comes the realization that the AI is available 24x7 and at a low cost or perhaps even free.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
19 Sep. 2025
-
But the drum sound wasn’t nearly as dismaying as the studio’s piano, which kept slipping out of tune.—
Peter Ames Carlin,
Rolling Stone,
13 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
There are currently many options on the market, which can make deciding what to buy daunting without standardized eye protection guidelines.—
NPR,
NPR,
21 Oct. 2025
-
But when the parents began the planning process, taking a DIY approach to a multi-country trip for four adults and three teenagers (two high-school grads and an 8th-grade graduate) proved daunting.—
Beth Luberecki,
USA Today,
21 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The result was a disconcerting 31-28 loss that relegated the Chiefs to 2-3 and leaves us to question anew just who and what this team is.—
Chris Ochsner,
Kansas City Star,
7 Oct. 2025
-
Overall, more disconcerting for staffers at the network are Paramount’s plans for significant layoffs later this year.—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
6 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The Jays’ bullpen allowed only two runs in five innings in Game 1, but is hardly intimidating.—
Ken Rosenthal,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
-
While potentially an intimidating shoe to some consumers, Hosk demonstrated how the statement boots can be styled.—
Jaden Thompson,
Footwear News,
24 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Discouraging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/discouraging. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
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