discouraging
If something is discouraging, it makes you lose your hope or confidence. A discouraging grade in your science class might make you rethink your plans to become a marine biologist.
The adjective discouraging comes from dis-, "away" or "lack of," and the Old French coragier, "spirit." Things that cause you to lose your spirit are certainly discouraging, from disheartening election results to a difficult conversation with your parents about your allowance. It can be discouraging to watch the news sometimes, and you might need to seek out some positive, encouraging stories to rebuild your spirit from time to time.
Definitions of discouraging
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depriving of confidence or hope or enthusiasm and hence often deterring action“where never is heard a discouraging word”
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Synonyms:
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daunting, intimidating
discouraging through fear
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demoralising, demoralizing, disheartening, dispiriting
destructive of morale and self-reliance
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frustrating
discouraging by hindering
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unencouraging
not encouraging
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unhelpful
providing no assistance
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hopeless
without hope because there seems to be no possibility of comfort or success
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dissuasive
deterring from action
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Antonyms:
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encouraging
giving courage or confidence or hope
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reassuring
restoring confidence and relieving anxiety
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exhortative, exhortatory, hortative, hortatory
giving strong encouragement
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heartening, inspiriting, uplifting
cheerfully encouraging
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promotive
tending to further or encourage
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rallying
rousing or recalling to unity and renewed effort
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helpful
providing assistance or serving a useful function
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hopeful
having or manifesting hope
- show more antonyms...
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daunting, intimidating
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expressing disapproval
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Synonyms:
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dissuasive
deterring from action
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dissuasive
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