discourages

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dishearten, dispirit v.
deter, dissuade; restrain v.

VERB

dishearten, dispirit

Synonyms

STRONGEST

alarm bother confuse dampen daunt demoralize depress dismay frighten intimidate irk scare trouble unnerve

STRONG

abash afflict awe bully chill cow dash deject deprecate disparage distress droop overawe prostrate repress try vex weigh

WEAK

beat down break one's heart cast down throw cold water on

Antonyms

STRONGEST

aid assist assure calm comfort encourage gladden hearten help inspirit make happy please reassure soothe stimulate uplift

STRONG

allow approve commend compliment laud praise

WEAK

inspire spur on

VERB

deter, dissuade; restrain

Synonyms

STRONGEST

curb frighten hinder impede inhibit prevent scare

STRONG

check chill control deprecate discountenance disfavor disincline divert indispose interfere obstruct quiet repress shake warn withhold

WEAK

disadvise hold back hold off keep back put off talk out of throw cold water on turn aside turn off

Antonyms

STRONGEST

advance aid allow assist calm comfort encourage facilitate forward help

STRONG

approve let go permit support

WEAK

hearten inspire inspirit spur on

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

discourages

Both processes could potentially help create an intestinal environment that discourages certain harmful bacteria and infections.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 28, 2026

McCarthy discourages front sleeping as your neck is turned one way for a long period of time.

From BBC ● Sep. 27, 2026

Criminalising suicide attempts discourages people from seeking urgent help, said Kingsley Okonoda, a professor of psychiatry at the University of Jos.

From Barron's ● Sep. 1, 2026

It’s a grim idea, that our hope is in a tool that discourages in-depth reading and a long-shot hypothetical strategy—both of which rely on technology known for sowing confusion.

From Slate ● Aug. 26, 2026

The prospect of fording this /aife-colored torrent discourages most people from traveling any farther.

From "Into the Wild" by Jon Krakauer

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