discourage
gb/dɪskˈɚɪd͡ʒ/ us/dɪskˈɚɪd͡ʒ/
B1
English
~ 4700
eltántorít, elveszi valakinek a kedvét, lebeszél, elkedvetlenít, elcsüggeszt
VERB
B1
1
Usage pattern:
to discourage [someone] from [doing something]
Her teacher tried to discourage her from quitting the course.
A tanára megpróbálta lebeszélni arról, hogy abbahagyja a kurzust.
High taxes can discourage investment in new businesses.
A magas adók eltántoríthatják a befektetőket attól, hogy új vállalkozásokba fektessenek.
Negative comments may discourage people from sharing their ideas.
Learner examples
My friend discouraged me from going to the party.
A barátom lebeszélt arról, hogy elmenjek a buliba.
The bad weather discouraged us from going outside.
A rossz idő elvette a kedvünket attól, hogy kimenjünk.
He discouraged his son from playing video games all day.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'discourage' with 'prevent'. 'Discourage' means to make someone less willing, not to completely stop them.
Meaning
Make someone less willing
Collocations
actively discourage
|strongly discourage
|discourage someone from
|discourage bad behavior
|discourage participation
Synonyms
deter (Often used in more formal or official contexts, especially for preventing actions through fear or difficulty.)
Antonyms
encourage (Means to give someone support or confidence to do something, which is the opposite of discouraging.)
Themes
emotions
|communication
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To make someone not want to do something anymore, usually by talking about problems or bad results.
To make someone less willing or confident to do something, often by suggesting difficulties or possible failure.
VERB
B1
2
elcsüggeszt
B2
Usage pattern:
to discourage [someone]
Repeated failures can discourage even the most determined person.
Az ismétlődő kudarcok még a legelszántabb embert is elkedvetleníthetik.
She was discouraged by the lack of progress.
Elkedvetlenítette, hogy nem történt előrelépés.
Criticism from his peers discouraged him.
Learner examples
She felt discouraged after she failed the test.
Elkedvetlenedett, miután megbukott a vizsgán.
Don't be discouraged by one mistake.
Ne csüggedj el egyetlen hiba miatt.
He was discouraged when nobody liked his idea.
Common mistake:
Some learners use 'discourage' in this sense with 'from', but here it is often used without it when referring to feelings.
Meaning
Reduce confidence or enthusiasm
Collocations
easily discouraged
|feel discouraged
|become discouraged
|get discouraged
Synonyms
demoralize (Stronger emotional impact, often implying a deep loss of spirit or morale.)
Antonyms
motivate (Means to inspire someone to act with energy and purpose, which is the opposite of discouraging them.)
Themes
emotions
|psychology
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To make someone feel less sure or excited about something.
To cause someone to lose confidence, hope, or enthusiasm about something.
Grammar
Dictionary form
discourage
IPA
GB/dɪskˈɚɪd͡ʒ/
US/dɪskˈɚɪd͡ʒ/
Syllables & stress
dis - cour - age (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (cour)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: discourage
- 3rd Person Singular: discourages
- Present Participle: discouraging
- Past: discouraged
Word family
Forms
discourages
verb
discouraging
verb
discouraged
verb
Core family
discouragement
noun
Negative and opposite forms
encourage
verb A2
Related words
Advanced or less common
discouragingly
adverb
Expressions
discourage someone from doing something
1/dɪskˈɚɪd͡ʒ sˈʌmwˌʌn fɹˈʌm dˈuɪŋ sˈʌmθɪŋ/
fixed phrase
Persuade against doing something
To talk or act so that a person does not want to do something anymore.
Examples
- The coach discouraged him from playing while injured.
- They discouraged us from investing in that company.