as in demoralizing
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in frustrating
to lessen the courage or confidence of
I didn't let losing discourage me from trying again
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of discouraging
Miri Talabac, Baltimore Sun, 2 Jan. 2025
The administration's actions are seen as expanding federal control and discouraging state innovation in healthcare programs.
—Steve Brozak, Forbes, 31 Dec. 2024
Data indicates hundreds of popular titles have months-long waitlists — potentially discouraging library patrons and hurting circulation.
—Connor Giffin, The Courier-Journal, 26 Dec. 2024
For those who do report, the process is often re-traumatizing, further discouraging victims from seeking justice.
—Chloe Laws, Glamour, 19 Dec. 2024
Lawmakers hope to lower drug prices for patients, taxpayers and employers by discouraging those companies from steering patients toward more expensive drugs to bolster their own profits.
—Catie Edmondson, New York Times, 18 Dec. 2024
The report also accused Amazon of discouraging injured workers from seeking outside medical care.
—Juliana Kim, NPR, 16 Dec. 2024
Cornell University began withholding early acceptance data with the Class of 2024, saying the reason for the change was to avoid discouraging qualified applicants by focusing on narrow acceptance rates.
—Anna Esaki-Smith, Forbes, 13 Dec. 2024
Rejections can be discouraging, but a positive mindset is key to staying resilient in your job search.
—Dr. Cynthia J. Young, Forbes, 9 Dec. 2024
Verb
Indoor humidity levels are low in winter, and a room humidifier can help plants avoid stress while discouraging pests like spider mites.
—Miri Talabac, Baltimore Sun, 2 Jan. 2025
The administration's actions are seen as expanding federal control and discouraging state innovation in healthcare programs.
—Steve Brozak, Forbes, 31 Dec. 2024
Data indicates hundreds of popular titles have months-long waitlists — potentially discouraging library patrons and hurting circulation.
—Connor Giffin, The Courier-Journal, 26 Dec. 2024
For those who do report, the process is often re-traumatizing, further discouraging victims from seeking justice.
—Chloe Laws, Glamour, 19 Dec. 2024
Lawmakers hope to lower drug prices for patients, taxpayers and employers by discouraging those companies from steering patients toward more expensive drugs to bolster their own profits.
—Catie Edmondson, New York Times, 18 Dec. 2024
The report also accused Amazon of discouraging injured workers from seeking outside medical care.
—Juliana Kim, NPR, 16 Dec. 2024
Cornell University began withholding early acceptance data with the Class of 2024, saying the reason for the change was to avoid discouraging qualified applicants by focusing on narrow acceptance rates.
—Anna Esaki-Smith, Forbes, 13 Dec. 2024
Rejections can be discouraging, but a positive mindset is key to staying resilient in your job search.
—Dr. Cynthia J. Young, Forbes, 9 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for discouraging
Adjective
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Americans, and a dismaying number of politicians, keep crying for a crackdown on crimes that aren’t happening.F.K. Plous, Chicago Tribune, 8 Jan. 2025
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The late President’s priorities were remarkably prescient, and his personal qualities offered a dismaying contrast to so much of the present state of American politics.Erin Neil, The New Yorker, 30 Dec. 2024
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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Navigating the Feedback Request Reaching out for feedback can feel daunting, but the process is simpler and more impactful than many realise.Benjamin Laker, Forbes, 7 Jan. 2025
Verb
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This new era of AI can feel intimidating for the limited, human life forms that created it.Marc Zao-Sanders, Harvard Business Review, 17 Dec. 2024
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Only six years older than Crystal, the comedian still found Scorsese intimidating.Lester Fabian Brathwaite, EW.com, 16 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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And if that wasn’t troublesome enough, the offensive line would have had protection issues if Tagovailoa didn’t have such a quick trigger.Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 7 Jan. 2025
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People often let their guard down in the cold months, which scientists say can be troublesome as fleas have different life stages.Krystal Nurse, USA TODAY, 7 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Naval News' reporting paints a troubling image of China's new potential capabilities of bypassing Taipei's defenses and landing in Taiwan with heavy military equipment.Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 11 Jan. 2025
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While the possible deployment of a cell-site simulator at the DNC has raised more questions than answers, for privacy and civil liberties advocates, the implications are troubling nonetheless.Dhruv Mehrotra, WIRED, 10 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Just as upsetting is the E.D. itself (short for Emergency Department, since they’re not called E.Rs.Ben Travers, IndieWire, 9 Jan. 2025
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In its place is now Palm Tree Club, an upscale hotel, dining and event space that's already upsetting its new neighbors.Sommer Brugal, Axios, 6 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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While the Eagles triumphed 22-10, advancing to the NFC Divisional Round, the victory was overshadowed by the disturbing exchange in the stands.Michael Gfoeller And David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 15 Jan. 2025
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The disturbing new figures are inching close to the same number of people — 1.5 million— who were internally displaced by Haiti’s cataclysmic earthquake, which struck 15 years ago on Jan. 12, 2010.Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 14 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Nazar has a smaller sample size with just 62 faceoffs in 11 games, but his 33.9 percentage is still worrisome.Scott Powers, The Athletic, 7 Jan. 2025
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The Dolphins’ injury outlook remained worrisome Thursday, with left tackle Terron Armstead again missing practice with a knee injury and quarterback Tua Tagovailoa again sitting out at least parts of practice because of a hip injury.Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 3 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near discouraging
Cite this Entry
“Discouraging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/discouraging. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.
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