discourage
Transitive VerbIntransitive Verb
Meanings
Transitive Verb
[~ someone from doing something][~ something]
To persuade someone not to do or have something by emphasizing the disadvantages or risks.
"The high cost of tuition may discourage students from applying to the university."
Transitive Verb
[~ someone]
To cause someone to lose confidence or enthusiasm; to make someone feel less optimistic.
"The repeated failures began to discourage the young inventor."
Transitive Verb
[~ something]
To try to prevent something from happening by making it difficult or unattractive.
"The government has introduced new taxes to discourage smoking among teenagers."