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dis·cour·age

discourage

 
 
pronunciation:
dih skuh rihj
features:
Word Combinations (verb), Word Parts
part of speech: transitive verb
inflections: discourages, discouraging, discouraged
definition 1: to cause to lose hope or confidence; dishearten.
The losing streak discouraged the team immensely.The foul weather discouraged the hikers.
synonyms:
daunt, dishearten, dispirit
antonyms:
embolden, encourage, hearten
similar words:
chill, dampen, deject, depress, disenchant, dismay, intimidate, unnerve
definition 2: to dissuade or hinder (usu. fol. by "from").
His mother tried to discourage him from joining the army.
synonyms:
deter, dissuade
antonyms:
encourage, excite, incite, prompt, spur, stimulate, tempt
similar words:
admonish, caution, disincline, expostulate, hinder, remonstrate with, restrain, warn
definition 3: to express disapproval of or objection to.
The chairman discouraged further discussion of the topic.
synonyms:
object to, oppose
antonyms:
encourage
similar words:
block, contravene, deplore, deprecate, deter, disapprove, obstruct, reject, repress, resist, squelch, suppress
Word CombinationsSubscriber feature About this feature
derivation: discouragingly (adv.)
Word PartsSubscriber feature About this feature