📒 to try to prevent something or to prevent somebody from doing something, especially by making it difficult to do or by showing that you do not approve of it
discourage (doing) something a campaign to discourage smoking among teenagers
discourage somebody I leave a light on when I'm out to discourage burglars.
discourage somebody from doing something His parents tried to discourage him from being an actor.
📒 to make somebody feel less confident or enthusiastic about doing something
discourage somebody/something Don't be discouraged by the first failure—try again!
discourage somebody from doing something The weather discouraged people from attending.