WordLens

discourage

1 of 1verb
/ˈdɪs.kɜ.rɪʤ/
Forms:discourages,discouraging,discouraged,discouraged
1

to officially forbid someone from doing a specific activity, usually to prevent it from happening

transitive
  • The school discouraged the use of cell phones by implementing a ban on mobile devices during class hours to maintain a focused learning environment.
  • The teacher discouraged cheating by implementing strict consequences.
  • The government enacted regulations to discourage the consumption of sugary drinks in public schools.
  • The transit authority installed turnstiles to discourage fare evasion and ensure fair payment for public transportation services.
2

to cause someone to lose enthusiasm, hope, or confidence, often by expressing negativity or criticism

transitive
  • The constant failures began to discourage her, and she started to doubt her abilities.
  • The constant criticism from his parents discouraged the aspiring musician.
  • The failure of his first business venture discouraged young entrepreneur.
  • The rejection letters from publishers discouraged him and he finally gave up writing.
Antonyms:
encourage
3

to prevent or persuade someone from taking a particular action or pursuing a specific course of action

  • I tried to discourage him from quitting his job by highlighting the potential risks and uncertainties.
  • The new policy will discourage employees from using company resources for personal matters.
  • The coach discourages players from engaging in unsportsmanlike behavior.
  • The negative feedback from critics did not discourage her from pursuing her passion for painting.
  • The mentor's encouragement and support helped discourage the mentee from giving up on their career aspirations.
Synonyms:
deter