dis·cour·age 
/dɪˈskɚrəʤ/ verb
dis·cour·ag·es; dis·cour·aged; dis·cour·ag·ing /dɪˈskɚrəʤ/ verb [+ obj] 1 : to make (someone) less determined, hopeful, or confident
▪ Try not to let losing discourage you. — often used (be/get) discouraged ▪ We were discouraged by their lack of enthusiasm. ▪ Students may get discouraged by activities that are too advanced. 2 a : to make (something) less likely to happen
▪ The area's dry climate discourages agriculture. ▪ He claims the new regulations will discourage investment.
b : to try to make people not want to do (something)
▪ The purpose of the law is to discourage [=deter] speeding. ▪ That type of behavior ought to be discouraged. ◊To discourage (someone) from doing (something) is to tell or advise someone not to do something.
▪ His parents discouraged him from watching too much television. [=told him he should not watch too much television] ▪ They discouraged her from going. [=they told her why she should not go] — opposite encourage
▪ Try not to let losing discourage you. — often used (be/get) discouraged ▪ We were discouraged by their lack of enthusiasm. ▪ Students may get discouraged by activities that are too advanced.
▪ The area's dry climate discourages agriculture. ▪ He claims the new regulations will discourage investment.
b : to try to make people not want to do (something)
▪ The purpose of the law is to discourage [=deter] speeding. ▪ That type of behavior ought to be discouraged. ◊To discourage (someone) from doing (something) is to tell or advise someone not to do something.
▪ His parents discouraged him from watching too much television. [=told him he should not watch too much television] ▪ They discouraged her from going. [=they told her why she should not go] — opposite encourage
— discouraged adjective [more discouraged; most discouraged]
▪ The team's losing streak has left many fans feeling hopeless and discouraged. [=downhearted, disheartened]
▪ The team's losing streak has left many fans feeling hopeless and discouraged. [=downhearted, disheartened]
