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Discourage: meaning, definitions and examples

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discourage

 

[dɪsˈkʌrɪdʒ ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Verb

feeling

To persuade someone not to do something or to not feel confident or happy about something.

Synonyms

deter, dishearten, dissuade.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
discourage

When you want to make someone less confident or enthusiastic about something, usually in a more general or broad sense.

  • The teacher tried to discourage the students from procrastinating.
  • Negative comments can discourage people from pursuing their dreams.
deter

Used to imply preventing someone from taking an action out of fear or doubt, often in a stronger or more forceful manner than 'discourage'.

  • High fines are meant to deter people from breaking the law.
  • The dog barking loudly deterred the burglar.
dishearten

Appropriate when someone starts to lose hope or confidence, typically because of a setback or difficulty.

  • The continuous failures began to dishearten the team.
  • Seeing the empty stadium disheartened the young performer.
dissuade

Used specifically when trying to convince someone not to do something, often through reasoning or argument.

  • His friends tried to dissuade him from making a risky investment.
  • The campaign aims to dissuade teenagers from smoking.

Examples of usage

  • He tried to discourage me from applying for the job.
  • She felt discouraged after receiving the rejection letter.
  • Don't let setbacks discourage you from pursuing your dreams.
Context #2 | Verb

action

To try to prevent something from happening or to make it less likely to happen.

Synonyms

deter, dissuade, prevent.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
discourage

When you talk to someone and make them feel less confident or enthusiastic about doing something.

  • Her parents tried to discourage her from quitting her job.
  • The negative reviews discouraged him from watching the movie.
dissuade

When you advise or persuade someone not to do something, usually through reasoning or argument.

  • I tried to dissuade him from taking the dangerous route.
  • She dissuaded him from buying the expensive car.
deter

When you try to make someone decide not to do something by making it difficult or showing potential negative consequences.

  • High fines are used to deter people from speeding.
  • The guard dog helped to deter intruders.
prevent

When you stop something from happening or someone from doing something by taking action beforehand.

  • Wearing a seatbelt can prevent injuries during an accident.
  • The quick response of the firefighters prevented a major disaster.

Examples of usage

  • High prices are discouraging people from buying cars.
  • The new regulations may discourage investment in the industry.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word comes from the prefix 'dis-' meaning 'to do the opposite of' and 'courage', which means 'bravery'.
  • Earlier forms of the word appeared in the late Middle Ages, combining the idea of taking away courage.

Psychology

  • Studies show that discouragement can lead to decreased motivation and can negatively impact mental health.
  • Positive reinforcement, in contrast, has been found to boost self-esteem and confidence, making it crucial in education.

Literature

  • In classic literature, characters who face discouragement often embody resilience, highlighting the human spirit's strength.
  • Many authors use the theme of discouragement to explore personal growth and overcoming challenges.

Pop Culture

  • Movies often show villains trying to discourage heroes, using their words to weaken their resolve before the final showdown.
  • In motivational speeches, speakers highlight the importance of overcoming discouragement set by others.

History

  • Throughout history, leaders have worked to discourage dissent by limiting freedom of speech in various regimes.
  • During civil rights movements, discouragement was often countered by the strength and unity of communities fighting for change.

Translations

Translations of the word "discourage" in other languages:

🇵🇹 desencorajar

🇮🇳 हतोत्साहित करना

🇩🇪 entmutigen

🇮🇩 menggagalkan

🇺🇦 знеохочувати

🇵🇱 zniechęcać

🇯🇵 気落ちさせる

🇫🇷 décourager

🇪🇸 desalentar

🇹🇷 cesaretini kırmak

🇰🇷 낙담시키다

🇸🇦 يثبط

🇨🇿 odradit

🇸🇰 odradiť

🇨🇳 使气馁

🇸🇮 odvrniti

🇮🇸 draga úr

🇰🇿 көңілін түсіру

🇬🇪 დარბევა

🇦🇿 cəsarətini qırmaq

🇲🇽 desalentar

Word Frequency Rank

Position #8,930 indicates this is an advanced-level word. While not essential for basic communication, it will enhance your ability to understand and create more nuanced content.