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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of discourage
Judge Jeffrey Clothier, who was elected to Genesee County’s 67th District Court in January, said requiring as many as 100 shoplifters caught stealing from a local Walmart to wash cars for free would serve the community and possibly discourage others from stealing from the retail giant.
—
Landon Mion, Fox News, 16 Mar. 2025
Tariffs can also discourage innovation by buffering industries from global competition.
—Caitlin Babcock, The Christian Science Monitor, 14 Mar. 2025
Trump wanted to discourage DEI efforts by corporations and others.
—Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 9 Mar. 2025
None of the other 23 states that allow initiatives, most in the Midwest and West, go so far out of their way to discourage them.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 8 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for discourage
Landon Mion, Fox News, 16 Mar. 2025
Tariffs can also discourage innovation by buffering industries from global competition.
—Caitlin Babcock, The Christian Science Monitor, 14 Mar. 2025
Trump wanted to discourage DEI efforts by corporations and others.
—Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 9 Mar. 2025
None of the other 23 states that allow initiatives, most in the Midwest and West, go so far out of their way to discourage them.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 8 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for discourage
Recent Examples of Synonyms for discourage
Verb
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National Security Council spokesperson Brian Hughes said Tuesday that Trump is frustrated with the Russian position but that talks continue.—
Barak Ravid,
Axios,
2 Apr. 2025
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But as Democrats search for a next generation of leadership, frustrated with the old-timers at the top, Booker’s speech could cement his status as a leading figure in the party’s opposition to Trump.—
Mike Catalini and Stephen Groves,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Paris and London say such a force would aim to secure any peace deal by dissuading Russia from attacking Ukraine again.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
28 Mar. 2025
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Apart from the account-creation snafu, nothing in my testing has dissuaded me from this idea.—
PCMAG,
PCMAG,
22 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Mushrooms are a delicious addition to recipes, but preparing them for a dish can be intimidating.—
Kait Hanson,
Southern Living,
25 Mar. 2025
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France’s bureaucracy can be intimidating, especially for those who don’t speak French.—
CNN.com,
Mercury News,
24 Mar. 2025
Verb
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One area TransUnion is working with clients on now is introducing more friction to today’s instant transactions—extra steps that won’t annoy a legitimate customer so much as to scare them off, but can deter fraudsters.—
Megan Poinski,
Forbes.com,
30 Mar. 2025
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Going forward, sticky inflation may deter policymakers from cutting rates to stimulate the economy.—
Josh Fellman,
Quartz,
28 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The film revolves around a trip of women from different generations who form a quiet sisterhood to find their own peace amidst daunting personal and cultural issues.—
Elsa Keslassy,
Variety,
13 Mar. 2025
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Hawaii’s Terrain and Climate Pose Distinct Challenges On the mainland, a 22-mile out-and-back hike with 1,600 feet of elevation gain, typically wouldn’t daunt me.—
Jen Murphy,
Outside Online,
3 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Miller, of course, is aware that Trump’s intention, always, is to shock, to play the madman, and thus frighten his rivals and alter the terms of the debate.—
David Remnick,
The New Yorker,
5 Feb. 2025
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Seeing those kinds of numbers in headlines may have started to frighten U.S. consumers, data shows.—
Meghan Hall,
Sourcing Journal,
4 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Discourage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/discourage. Accessed 4 Apr. 2025.
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