discouraging
discouraging — adjective
1. causing a person to lose hope, confidence, or the will to continue with an effor
causing a person to lose hope, confidence, or the will to continue with an effort or goal
The doctor called Amara's slow recovery discouraging but urged her to keep trying.
verb + obj + discouraging (find / call / think)
Sofia found the constant criticism from her supervisor deeply discouraging after months of hard work.
The election results were discouraging for the environmental group after their long campaign.
Three failed experiments left the research team in a discouraging position, but they refused to quit.
- disheartening
very similar in meaning; slightly more emotional and often used about personal setbacks
- demoralizing
stronger than discouraging; suggests a deeper loss of spirit and confidence in oneself or a group
- dispiriting
more formal and literary; focuses on loss of energy and enthusiasm rather than confidence
- encouraging
the direct opposite; giving hope, confidence, or support
- heartening
slightly more formal than encouraging; restoring cheer or hope
用法筆記
Commonly used with verbs like 'find' or 'call' (find something discouraging, call something discouraging) and with 'be' (the news was discouraging). The adjective discouraging describes the cause of the feeling; use discouraged to describe the person who experiences the feeling.
常見錯誤
discouraging — verb
1. to make someone feel less confident or hopeful about something, causing them to
to make someone feel less confident or hopeful about something, causing them to want to stop trying
The coach's harsh comments discouraged Ananya from trying out for the basketball team again.
discourage + [person] + from + doing
High tuition fees discouraged Oliver from applying to his first-choice university.
Nothing could discourage Kwame once he made up his mind to become a pilot.
The constant noise from the street discouraged the librarian from working near the open window.
- dishearten
more emotional and literary; suggests a blow to one's spirit or courage
- demoralize
stronger; suggests a deeper, more lasting loss of confidence, often in a group context
- dampen
milder; reduces enthusiasm without completely removing hope
文法句型
discourage + noun phrase
discourage someone from doing something
用法筆記
Often takes the pattern 'discourage someone from doing something.' The person or thing that causes the loss of confidence is the subject. This sense is about emotional impact—different from sense 2 (showing disapproval to prevent an activity) and sense 3 (talking someone out of a decision).
常見錯誤
2. to try to prevent an activity or type of behaviour by expressing disapproval or
to try to prevent an activity or type of behaviour by expressing disapproval or creating obstacles
The school discourages any form of bullying among students.
discourage + [abstract behaviour / activity]
Many governments now discourage smoking by raising taxes on cigarettes.
The teacher discouraged copying by separating students during the examination.
The company's new policy discourages the use of personal devices during working hours.
文法句型
discourage + noun phrase (activity / behaviour)
用法筆記
Subject is typically an authority figure or institution (school, government, employer, policy). The direct object is an activity or behaviour, not a person. This sense focuses on rules, policies, or deterrents rather than emotional impact—distinguish from verb sense 1 where the object is a person whose confidence is affected.
常見錯誤
3. to try to persuade someone not to do something, especially by explaining the ris
to try to persuade someone not to do something, especially by explaining the risks, problems, or reasons against it
The travel agent discouraged Nadia from visiting the region during the rainy season.
discourage + [person] + from + -ing (giving reasons)
Diego tried to discourage his younger brother from dropping out of university.
The doctor strongly discouraged the patient from taking the medication on an empty stomach.
Emma's parents discouraged her from taking a job in a city where crime rates are high.
- dissuade
very close in meaning but slightly more formal; focuses on changing someone's mind through reasoning
- talk out of
more informal; to persuade someone not to do something by discussing it with them
- put off
informal; to make someone decide not to do something or delay it
文法句型
discourage someone from doing something
用法筆記
Typically takes the pattern 'discourage someone from doing something.' The person doing the discouraging gives reasons or advice—this is persuasion, not a rule or ban. Unlike sense 2, the object is always a person. Unlike sense 1, the focus is on stopping a planned action rather than affecting someone's general confidence.