adj
Uncommon
discouraged
dihs-KUH-rihjd
Discouraged (adj) means having lost confidence, hope, or motivation. Example: “After the third rejection letter, she felt completely discouraged.”
adj
1
Having lost confidence, hope, or motivation.
"After the third rejection letter, she felt completely discouraged."
"He felt discouraged after failing his driving test again."
"The discouraged team walked slowly off the pitch."
"The coach warned the team not to become discouraged."
"She felt discouraged after several unsuccessful interviews."
How to use discouraged
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishFeeling deflated or having lost hope about something.
Common pairings
feel discouraged
become discouraged
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more discouraged
- Superlative
- most discouraged
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
After the third rejection letter, she felt completely _____.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for discouraged
See all rhymes for discouraged →Frequently asked questions
What does “discouraged” mean?
The word “discouraged” means having lost confidence, hope, or motivation. In plain terms, feeling deflated or having lost hope about something.
How do you pronounce “discouraged”?
“Discouraged” is pronounced dihs-KUH-rihjd (/dɪsˈkɝɪd͡ʒd/ in IPA).
How do you use “discouraged” in a sentence?
Here is “discouraged” used in a sentence: “After the third rejection letter, she felt completely discouraged.”
What part of speech is “discouraged”?
“Discouraged” is an adjective.
Is “discouraged” a common word?
“Discouraged” is an uncommon word in modern English.
What is the difference between discouraged and disappointed?
Discouraged describes a loss of confidence, hope, or motivation, often affecting a person's willingness to continue trying, while disappointed describes the feeling of having one's hopes or expectations unmet. A person can feel disappointed by a single result but discouraged after repeated setbacks.
What prepositions are commonly used with discouraged?
Discouraged is typically followed by by or about, as in discouraged by the lack of progress or discouraged about the future, to specify the cause of the feeling. These constructions clarify what has affected the person's confidence or motivation.
Is discouraged a temporary or lasting feeling?
Discouraged usually describes a temporary emotional state brought on by a specific setback or ongoing difficulty, rather than a permanent trait, and it can lift once circumstances improve or motivation returns. It differs from more lasting personality descriptions like pessimistic.
