discourager
1
5.3
- noun
- /dɪsˈkɔrɪdʒər/
- Respondents most frequently cited peer pressure as a discourager for program participation.
Examples
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Peer pressure can often be a significant discourager for students considering college applications.
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Negative feedback from colleagues can be a major discourager for new employees in their early days at work.
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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
11
7.2
A thing that makes people less likely to do something
1
7.5
Someone who makes other people feel less confident
A person or thing that drains others' joy and makes them feel discouraged
Antonyms
How Discouraging
Surface Forms
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.