discourage

verb

dis·​cour·​age di-ˈskər-ij How to pronounce discourage (audio)
-ˈskə-rij
discouraged; discouraging

transitive verb

1
: to deprive of courage or confidence : dishearten
was discouraged by repeated failure
2
a
: to hinder by disfavoring
trying to discourage absenteeism
b
: to dissuade or attempt to dissuade from doing something
tried to discourage her from going
discourageable adjective
discourager noun
discouragingly adverb

Examples of discourage in a Sentence

Try not to let losing discourage you. The area's dry climate discourages agriculture. He claims the new regulations will discourage investment. That type of behavior ought to be discouraged.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Under an order from Abbott, Operation Lone Star has also placed a chain of giant buoys in the Rio Grande River near Eagle Pass in an effort to discourage such crossings. Alexis Simmerman, Austin American-Statesman, 26 Nov. 2024 But documents already unsealed by the courts reveal remarkable details about private proposals for a wide range of hard-nosed tactics that would go beyond public efforts like ads, op-eds and meetings to discourage the No Labels campaign. Michael Scherer The Washington Post, arkansasonline.com, 25 Nov. 2024 That circuit implemented much more solid tarping for Year 2 to discourage any non-ticketed viewers from sneaking a peek after many downtown denizens found a way to see stock cars for free in 2023. Jeff Gluck, The Athletic, 22 Nov. 2024 Although many work environments discourage the discussion of politics due to the verbal hostility that often results, political figures have the power to introduce policies and influence laws that threaten people's safety, stability, and autonomy. Topsie Vandenbosch, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for discourage 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English discoragen, from Middle French descorager, from Old French descoragier, from des- dis- + corage courage

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of discourage was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near discourage

Cite this Entry

“Discourage.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/discourage. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

discourage

verb
dis·​cour·​age dis-ˈkər-ij How to pronounce discourage (audio)
-ˈkə-rij
discouraged; discouraging
1
: to lessen the courage or confidence of : dishearten
didn't let losing discourage me
2
a
: to make less likely or appealing : deter
laws that discourage speeding
b
: to advise against a course of action : dissuade
discouraged careless work
discouragingly adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on discourage

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