discouragement

Everyday

1. A feeling of having lost confidence or hope, so you do not want to try any more. tree →
2. Something that makes people less likely to do something: «Fines are a discouragement to dropping litter». tree →
3. The act of trying to stop someone from doing something. tree →

In the lessons

In school and sport: discouragement after failing a test or losing a match; teachers help pupils overcome it. In ethics: a fine or a rule can be a discouragement to bad behaviour. In stories: heroes face discouragement but keep going. Phrases: «a feeling of discouragement», «despite discouragement», «discouragement to».

Examples

• Despite discouragement from others, she kept practising. tree →
• After losing again, Ben felt deep discouragement. tree →
• The fence is a discouragement to burglars. tree →
• Our coach turned our discouragement into determination. tree →
• Small setbacks are no reason for discouragement. tree →
• High prices are a discouragement to buying sweets. tree →

Note

Countable or uncountable. Verb: «discourage»; opposite «encouragement». The «-ou-» spelling of «courage» stays: dis-cour-age-ment.