discourage
/dɪsˈkʌrɪdʒ/verb★Intermediate
general
to persuade someone not to do something by making them feel it is difficult, dangerous, or not worth the effort
The bad weather discouraged us from going hiking.
The bad weather made us decide not to go hiking because it seemed unpleasant.
Don't let failure discourage you from trying again.
Don't let failure make you feel like you shouldn't try again.
💡
Often used to describe discouraging someone from taking action or pursuing a goal.
Collocations
discourage someone fromto persuade someone not to do somethingdiscourage someone from doingto persuade someone not to do something
Synonyms
Antonyms
💡Pro Tip
Common Usage
'Discourage' is often used with 'from' or 'from doing' to specify what action is being discouraged.
📖Word Origin
From Middle French 'descourager', from 'des-' (dis-) + 'courage' (courage).
📝Usage Notes
Often followed by 'from' or 'from doing' when referring to specific actions.
Word Breakdown
dis-
apart, away
prefix-courage
bravery, confidence
rootEnglish Dictionary