discourage synonyms

discourage

v.

  1. To dishearten

    dispirit, dampen, dismay, daunt, intimidate, demoralize, repress, dampen the spirits, deprive of courage, lessen the self-confidence of, break one's heart, deject, prostrate, unnerve, scare, confuse, overawe, cow, bully, cast down, chill, damp, unman, throw a wet blanket on*, throw cold water on*, beat down, cast gloom upon, dash one's hopes; see also depress 2, frighten 1.

    Antonyms encourage*, cheer*, inspire. *

  2. To warn

    dissuade, alarm, disincline, talk out of; see warn 1.

  3. To restrain

    obstruct, impede, hinder, check, quiet, interfere with, withhold, keep back, inhibit, dissuade, disincline, curb, deter, control, turn aside, hold back, hold off, repress; see also restrain 1.

    Antonyms help*, expedite*, facilitate.

Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.