Discouraging and Encouraging

Discouraging

Discouraging adjective - Depriving of confidence or hope or enthusiasm and hence often deterring action.
Usage example: where never is heard a discouraging word

Encouraging is an antonym for discouraging in upsetting topic.

Encouraging

Encouraging adjective - Having qualities which inspire hope.
Usage example: encouraging signs that the economy is improving

Discouraging is an antonym for encouraging in promising topic.

Both words in one sentence

  • Anti-Poop Socking Mabinogi somewhat subverts this by simultaneously encouraging and discouraging poopsocking; both in small ways; mainly through the aging/rebirthing mechanic.
  • Smitten Teenage Girl He's enough of The Stoic to not really care when she attaches herself to his arm and doesn't let go, neither encouraging her nor discouraging her.
Cite this Source
Encouraging and Discouraging. (2016). Retrieved 2026, July 21, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/discouraging/encouraging
Discouraging & Encouraging. N.p., 2016. Web. 21 Jul. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/discouraging/encouraging>.
Encouraging or Discouraging. 2016. Accessed July 21, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/discouraging/encouraging.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "discouraging" and "encouraging" have occurred on timeline