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   discourage

   /dɪˈskʌrɪdʒ/

   verb

   • 1. cause (someone) to lose confidence or enthusiasm: "tedious regulations could discourage investors" Similar disheartendispiritdemoralizemake despondentmake downheartedcast downdepressdisappointdampen someone's hopesdash someone's hopescause to lose heartput offunnervedauntintimidatecowunmancrusharchaic:dejectOpposite encouragehearten
   • ▪ prevent or try to prevent (something) by showing disapproval or creating difficulties: "the plan is designed to discourage the use of private cars" Similar preventstopput a stop toavertfend offstave offward offinhibithindercheckcurbobstructsuppressput a damper onthrow cold water onOpposite encourage
   • ▪ persuade (someone) against an action: "we want to discourage children from smoking" Similar deterdissuadedisinclineturn asideput offtalk out ofscare offwarn offadvise againsturge againstrare:dehortOpposite encouragepersuade

   Word Origin late Middle English: from Old French descouragier, from des- (expressing reversal) + corage ‘courage’.

   Derivatives

   • 1. discourager noun

   Scrabble Points: 14

   • D

     2

   • I

     1

   • S

     1

   • C

     3

   • O

     1

   • U

     1

   • R

     1

   • A

     1

   • G

     2

   • E

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