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
Skyler Swisher, The Orlando Sentinel, 12 Apr. 2025
Good air circulation will allow leaves and stems to dry out, discouraging disease.
—Beth Botts, Chicago Tribune, 12 Apr. 2025
Done the wrong way, feedback can end up discouraging an employee from taking chances or sharing ideas for future projects.
—Rolling Stone Culture Council, Rolling Stone, 9 Apr. 2025
Irrelevant information and inconvenient steps can be frustrating to the end user, discouraging future scans.
—Sharat Potharaju, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025
The ten experts criticize Lucas’ new DEI guidance for discouraging these types of workplace trainings by exaggerating employers’ risk of hostile work environment claims by members of majority groups.
—Michelle Travis, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025
This has heightened anxiety and burnout among remaining employees, potentially discouraging job changes.
—Jack Kelly, Forbes.com, 6 Apr. 2025
This win will feel like a weight lifted off the shoulder for Lee, who came into this event after a pair of discouraging performances in his last two tournaments.
—Ron Estes, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2025
When channels of communication are broken, and topics are escalated without peer collaboration, this may create a perception of hierarchy over collaboration, potentially discouraging others from voicing their opinions or proactively addressing future issues.
—Joao Mendes-Roter, Forbes.com, 27 Mar. 2025
Adjective
Actions by officials in the two countries are also discouraging Canadian tourists from looking south.
—Skyler Swisher, The Orlando Sentinel, 12 Apr. 2025
Good air circulation will allow leaves and stems to dry out, discouraging disease.
—Beth Botts, Chicago Tribune, 12 Apr. 2025
Done the wrong way, feedback can end up discouraging an employee from taking chances or sharing ideas for future projects.
—Rolling Stone Culture Council, Rolling Stone, 9 Apr. 2025
Irrelevant information and inconvenient steps can be frustrating to the end user, discouraging future scans.
—Sharat Potharaju, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025
The ten experts criticize Lucas’ new DEI guidance for discouraging these types of workplace trainings by exaggerating employers’ risk of hostile work environment claims by members of majority groups.
—Michelle Travis, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025
This has heightened anxiety and burnout among remaining employees, potentially discouraging job changes.
—Jack Kelly, Forbes.com, 6 Apr. 2025
This win will feel like a weight lifted off the shoulder for Lee, who came into this event after a pair of discouraging performances in his last two tournaments.
—Ron Estes, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2025
When channels of communication are broken, and topics are escalated without peer collaboration, this may create a perception of hierarchy over collaboration, potentially discouraging others from voicing their opinions or proactively addressing future issues.
—Joao Mendes-Roter, Forbes.com, 27 Mar. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for discouraging
Verb
-
Building a football culture from not very much seems like a daunting prospect, but Pomroy does not seem too intimidated.—
Nick Miller,
The Athletic,
21 Mar. 2025
-
His task, especially as an outsider, felt daunting.—
Adam Williams,
The Christian Science Monitor,
20 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
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
-
Data site Census Reporter whispers a hopeful, yet slightly dismaying, truth: over half of Austinites are unattached.—
Ana Gutierrez,
Austin American Statesman,
2 July 2025
Verb
-
Relapse is alluring, Bart is intimidating, and Son is mysterious.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
14 Mar. 2025
-
While the market’s recent volatility can be intimidating, experts generally recommend investors focus on their long-term goals.—
Ana Teresa Solá,
CNBC,
14 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
That is probably true – but only makes the current freefall more troublesome.—
Bill Plunkett,
Oc Register,
14 Aug. 2025
-
Florida’s wildlife commissioners set aside pleas and arguments from black bear advocates today and approved a December hunt of the state’s shy but increasingly troublesome species.—
Stephen Hudak,
The Orlando Sentinel,
13 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Her diet grew so troubling that a foster family admitted her to Four Winds Hospital in Saratoga, New York, for an eating disorder.—
Noelle Wiehe,
The Orlando Sentinel,
17 Aug. 2025
-
Gauff tossed 16 double faults for the match, a troubling trend that was evident at the Canadian Open.—
Lukas Weese,
New York Times,
16 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Furthermore, a source close to Harry made clear how upsetting the findings were for him.—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
8 Aug. 2025
-
Practice saying no to things that aren’t in your best interest, and avoid engaging in triggering, negative, or upsetting conversations.—
Maia Niguel Hoskin,
Forbes.com,
31 July 2025
Adjective
-
Her dad, Taylor finds her art to be disturbing, but nonetheless harmless.—
DeVonne Goode,
Parents,
6 Aug. 2025
-
To my mind, this is the most disturbing part of the retractions saga: the chaos, uncertainty, disrespect, and bullying, devoid of any underlying moral or philosophical reasoning.—
Elizabeth Kaye Cook
August 6,
Literary Hub,
6 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
First Steps easily stayed atop the domestic box office chart in its second weekend with $40 million, but tumbled a worrisome 66 percent.—
Pamela McClintock,
HollywoodReporter,
3 Aug. 2025
-
For now, the backup offensive line remains a worrisome work in progress.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
3 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Discouraging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/discouraging. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.
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