discouraging

1. 1
   adjective

   Making someone feel less hopeful or less confident.

   Like a cold wind that makes you want to turn back instead of going on.

   The test results were discouraging for the whole class.

   She got a discouraging letter about her job application.

   Similardisheartening, demoralizing, dispiriting, depressing, disappointing

   Oppositeencouraging, heartening, inspiring, promising

   Note
2. 2
   verb

   Present participle of discourage. Use this form when the action is happening now or as an -ing naming word.

   She is discouraging him from quitting his job too soon.

   They keep discouraging the kids from playing in the street.

   Note
3. 3
   noununcountable

   The act of making someone feel less hopeful or less sure of themselves.

   Like telling someone again and again that they cannot do it, until they stop trying.

   The constant discouraging from his family made him quit.

   There was a lot of discouraging before she finally gave up.

   Similarsuppression, deterrence, dissuasion, demoralization, undermining

   Oppositeencouragement, support, promotion

   Note

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