discourage

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   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.

2. 2
   verb

   To persuade somebody not to do (something).

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

3. 3
   verb

   admonish or counsel in terms of someone's behavior

4. 4
   verb

   try to prevent

5. 5
   verb

   deprive of courage or hope

6. 6
   noun

   Lack of courage

Etymology

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