discourage
gb/dɪskˈɚɪd͡ʒ/ us/dɪskˈɚɪd͡ʒ/
B1
English
~ 4700
Senses
0 senses
Verb
B1
action
1
Make someone less willing
To make someone not want to do something anymore, usually by talking about problems or bad results.
Usage pattern:
to discourage [someone] from [doing something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'discourage' with 'prevent'. 'Discourage' means to make someone less willing, not to completely stop them.
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.)
Collocations
actively discourage
|strongly discourage
|discourage someone from
|discourage bad behavior
|discourage participation
Themes
emotions
|communication
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Her teacher tried to discourage her from quitting the course.
- High taxes can discourage investment in new businesses.
- Negative comments may discourage people from sharing their ideas.
Learner examples
- My friend discouraged me from going to the party.
- The bad weather discouraged us from going outside.
- He discouraged his son from playing video games all day.
Verb
B1
action
2
Reduce confidence or enthusiasm
To make someone feel less sure or excited about something.
Usage pattern:
to discourage [someone]
Common mistake:
Some learners use 'discourage' in this sense with 'from', but here it is often used without it when referring to feelings.
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.)
Collocations
easily discouraged
|feel discouraged
|become discouraged
|get discouraged
Themes
emotions
|psychology
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Repeated failures can discourage even the most determined person.
- She was discouraged by the lack of progress.
- Criticism from his peers discouraged him.
Learner examples
- She felt discouraged after she failed the test.
- Don't be discouraged by one mistake.
- He was discouraged when nobody liked his idea.
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.