discourage

To discourage is defined as to try to get someone not to do something.

(verb)

An example of to discourage is to tell someone all the reasons why they should not buy a new car.

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See discourage in Webster's New World College Dictionary

transitive verb discouraged, discouraging

  1. to deprive of courage, hope, or confidence; dishearten
  2. to advise or persuade (a person) to refrain
  3. to prevent or try to prevent by disapproving or raising objections or obstacles

Origin: ME discoragen < OFr descoragier: see dis- & courage

intransitive verb

to become discouraged

See discourage in American Heritage Dictionary 4

transitive verb dis·cour·aged, dis·cour·ag·ing, dis·cour·ag·es
  1. To deprive of confidence, hope, or spirit.
  2. To hamper by discouraging; deter.
  3. To try to prevent by expressing disapproval or raising objections.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English discoragen

Origin: , from Old French descoragier

Origin: : des-, dis-

Origin: + corage, courage; see courage

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Related Forms:

  • dis·courˈage·a·ble adjective
  • dis·courˈag·er noun
  • dis·courˈag·ing·ly adverb

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