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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Verb
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
Adjective
-
For the Congolese government, the ineffective Western responses follow a dismaying pattern.—
Michela Wrong,
Foreign Affairs,
3 Mar. 2025
-
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
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
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
-
The new apartment building at 3627-3633 N. Sheffield typifies this troublesome direction.—
Edward Keegan,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Apr. 2025
-
This classic tale helped make Taylor a star, giving her a showcase as a young woman who dreams of entering a troublesome horse in England's Grand National steeplechase.—
EW Staff,
EW.com,
3 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
What McCoy found after taking over teetering nonprofit’s leadership was deeply troubling.—
Jack Fowler,
National Review,
7 Apr. 2025
-
As the investigation unfolded, more troubling allegations followed.—
Samira Asma-Sadeque,
People.com,
7 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Many of them are undoubtedly games when the underdog pulled off the stunning upset – UMBC beating Virginia in 2018; George Mason’s unbelievable Final Four run in 2006; Valparaiso’s 1998 win over Ole Miss; Princeton upsetting UCLA in 1996, etc.—
Alex Sherman,
CNBC,
3 Apr. 2025
-
There are no perfect victims, and inappropriate behavior, especially in the workplace, can be complicated and deeply upsetting.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
3 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Other times, Claude’s mental activity seems super disturbing and maybe even dangerous.—
Steven Levy,
Wired News,
28 Mar. 2025
-
Just as disturbing and bizarre, at least one juror originally didn’t want to convict Zeigler at all and didn’t vote to do so until after that same judge ordered the bailiff to give her a Valium.—
Scott Maxwell,
The Orlando Sentinel,
26 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
What makes the hormone worrisome is when it's released too often or for extended periods of time.—
Daryl Austin,
USA TODAY,
25 Mar. 2025
-
Louisville head coach Pat Kelsey was called for a technical foul after screaming at an official, but that was the least worrisome incident.—
Ryan Morik,
Fox News,
20 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Discouraging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/discouraging. Accessed 17 Apr. 2025.
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