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discourager

discourager

5.3
Something that makes a person lose confidence and not want to try
  • noun
  • /dɪsˈkɔrɪdʒər/
translation icon : desalentador
  • Respondents most frequently cited peer pressure as a discourager for program participation.

Examples

  • Peer pressure can often be a significant discourager for students considering college applications.

  • Negative feedback from colleagues can be a major discourager for new employees in their early days at work.

  • In a national study of school districts with gifted programs (Read, 1988), boys and girls cited peer pressure most frequently as the main discourager to participating in the program.

    Academic text (1991)
  • Stress is that element which, depending on the type, quantity, and duration, can either act as an encourager or a discourager (see Selye et al., 1974, describing eustress and distress).

    Academic text (1993)
  • Lack of support from friends is sometimes a discourager that prevents individuals from pursuing their dreams.

Synonyms

disincentive
vsdiscourager
12 7.2

A thing that makes people less likely to do something

causes a personal loss of confidence or enthusiasm rather than merely giving a reason
dementor
vsdiscourager
  • Offensive
1 8.7

A person or thing that drains others' joy and makes them feel discouraged

focuses on reducing confidence or enthusiasm needed to act
deflater
vsdiscourager
7.5

Someone who makes other people feel less confident

aims specifically to stop someone from trying or taking action

Antonyms

1 2.7

A person who supports others and makes them feel confident

How Discouraging

obstacle
343 3.4
deterrent
1 7.0
discourager
5.3
naysayer
28 7.0
critic
563 3.0

Surface Forms

discourager singular
discouragers plural

Morphology

discourager = discourage (transparent) = dis + courage + er

The noun is a regular agent or instrument formation from the verb 'discourage'.

Etymology

Discourager comes from the parts dis- 'not' or 'away' and courage 'bravery', so it literally means taking bravery away. So a discourager is someone or something that removes confidence or the will to try, which is why it means a cause of loss of confidence.