discourage Definition

discourage
verb discouraged, discouraging

1. To deprive someone of confidence, hope or the will to continue.

Thesaurus: dishearten, dispirit, intimidate, deject, prostrate, unnerve, dampen, dismay, daunt, demoralize, set back; Antonym: encourage, hearten.
2. To seek to prevent (a person or an action) with advice or persuasion.

Thesaurus: warn, dissuade, alarm, scare, deter, restrain, obstruct, impede, check, inhibit, repress, curb.

Derivative: discouragement
noun

Derivative: discouraging
adj

Not giving someone support, confidence, or hope
Thesaurus: disheartening, dampening, daunting, disappointing, dispiriting, dissuasive, off-putting; Antonym: encouraging.

Derivative: discouragingly
adverb

Etymology: 15c: from French descourager.