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
Reconciliation, established by the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, was intended to discourage deficit spending by expediting measures focused on fiscal control.
—
Bloomberg Opinion, Twin Cities, 16 Jan. 2025
There were efforts to discourage Hawkins’ outspokenness, which ultimately led to a budding interest in politics and a successful career as a writer.
—Ken Makin, The Christian Science Monitor, 16 Jan. 2025
But perhaps the most tangible effect of the Scopes trial was that the circus atmosphere and national attention discouraged other states from enacting similar legislation, says Linder.
—Avery Hurt, Discover Magazine, 14 Jan. 2025
Hochul also called for the installation of new turnstiles to discourage subway fare jumpers, a project the MTA has floated since May 2023.
—Evan Simko-Bednarski, New York Daily News, 14 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for discourage 
Bloomberg Opinion, Twin Cities, 16 Jan. 2025
There were efforts to discourage Hawkins’ outspokenness, which ultimately led to a budding interest in politics and a successful career as a writer.
—Ken Makin, The Christian Science Monitor, 16 Jan. 2025
But perhaps the most tangible effect of the Scopes trial was that the circus atmosphere and national attention discouraged other states from enacting similar legislation, says Linder.
—Avery Hurt, Discover Magazine, 14 Jan. 2025
Hochul also called for the installation of new turnstiles to discourage subway fare jumpers, a project the MTA has floated since May 2023.
—Evan Simko-Bednarski, New York Daily News, 14 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for discourage
Recent Examples of Synonyms for discourage
Verb
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And with all the investigative resources and research methods of academia, I have been frustrated by the death of expertise on social media platforms that value high-frequency reactions and often baseless punditry—not rigor.—
Yaakov Katz,
Newsweek,
17 Jan. 2025
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The most recent deadline extensions weren’t announced until the day before the vouchers were set to expire, which frustrated him.—
Nora O’Neill,
Charlotte Observer,
17 Jan. 2025
Verb
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The city of Venice in Italy introduced a new charge attempting to dissuade those visiting the city for day trips.—
Joel Thayer,
Newsweek,
27 Jan. 2025
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The Biden administration used that law at an unprecedented scale, including to dissuade migrants from traveling to the U.S.-Mexico border.—
Camilo Montoya-Galvez,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2025
Verb
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For the uninitiated, dragon fruit can be intimidating.—
Karla Walsh,
Better Homes & Gardens,
25 Jan. 2025
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Frame Criticisms Constructively Delivering critical feedback or raising concerns can be intimidating, but CEOs value honesty when it’s delivered thoughtfully.—
Chiara Alzati,
Forbes,
22 Jan. 2025
Verb
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However, these measures could deter low-income Americans from seeking health care coverage—placing a heavier burden on hospitals and emergency rooms that cannot deny care to uninsured patients.—
Jonathan Granoff,
Newsweek,
29 Jan. 2025
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That essentially would deter Miami from using exception money to improve the team if Butler trade talks were to drag on in July.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
28 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Cal Fire has issued a red flag warning for the region, which is at risk of extreme wildfires fueled by daunting Santa Ana winds, low humidity and critically dry fuels.—
Anthony Robledo,
USA TODAY,
8 Jan. 2025
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Never one to be daunted by what people might think, Lil Jon entered the holiday-song fray in 2018 with this thrashy holiday-party starter.—
Maura Johnston,
Vulture,
19 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Where another artist might rely on grotesque specifics to frighten the reader, Mignola’s insinuating expanses of black ink conceal all but the most necessary details of a rich and malevolent world, filled with monstrosities, yes, but also oddities, many of them delightful.—
Sam Thielman,
New York Times,
20 Jan. 2025
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As the devastating wildfires began to sweep across Los Angeles on Jan. 7, frightened residents were not turning to Netflix.—
Stephen Battaglio,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near discourage
Cite this Entry
“Discourage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/discourage. Accessed 2 Feb. 2025.
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