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discourage

verb

  1. to deprive of confidence, induce inaction
L226966 on Wikidata ↗

Wiktionary

Pronunciation: /dɪsˈkʌɹɪd͡ʒ/ / /dɪsˈkɝɪd͡ʒ/

noun

Etymology: From Middle French descourager (modern French décourager), from Old French descouragier, from des- and corage. By surface analysis, dis- + courage.

  1. Lack of courage

verb

Etymology: From Middle French descourager (modern French décourager), from Old French descouragier, from des- and corage. By surface analysis, dis- + courage.

  1. To extinguish the courage of; to dishearten; to depress the spirits of; to deprive of confidence; to deject.

    Don't be discouraged by the amount of work left to do: you'll finish it in good time.

    Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.

  2. To persuade somebody not to do (something).

    Discourage litigation. Persuade your neighbors to compromise whenever you can.