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   Dis·cour·age

   /dəˈskərij/

   

   verb

   • 1. cause (someone) to lose confidence or enthusiasm: "I don't want to discourage you, but I don't think it's such a good idea" Similar disheartendispiritdemoralizemake despondentmake downheartedcast downdepressdisappointdampen someone's hopesdash someone's hopescause to lose heartput offunnervedauntintimidatecowunmancrusharchaic:dejectOpposite encouragehearten
   • ▪ prevent or seek to prevent (something) by showing disapproval or creating difficulties: "the plan is designed to discourage the use of private cars" Similar preventstopput a stop toavertfend offstave offward offinhibithindercheckcurbobstructsuppressput a damper onthrow cold water onOpposite encourage
   • ▪ persuade (someone) against an action: "we want to discourage children from smoking" Similar deterdissuadedisinclineturn asideput offtalk out ofscare offwarn offadvise againsturge againstrare:dehortOpposite encouragepersuade

   Word Origin late Middle English: from Old French descouragier, from des- (expressing reversal) + corage ‘courage’.

   Derivatives

   • 1. discourager noun

   Scrabble Points: 14

   • D

     2

   • I

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   • S

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   • C

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   • O

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   • U

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   • R

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   • A

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   • G

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   • E

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