5
disinclining(verb, dissuading, de-motivating)
5
dreary(dull, sad, dark, gloomy, miserable)
5
hopeless(adjective, dull, sad, gloomy, miserable)
4
admonishing(verb, dissuading)
4
bad(adjective, sad, dark, dim, distressing)
4
cold(sad, dark, miserable, dim, austere)
4
dismaying(adjective, hard, severe, offensive, distressing)
4
hindering(verb, adjective, obstructive, anti, de-motivating)
4
oppressive(adjective, dull, dark, gloomy, miserable)
4
restraining(verb, adjective, dissuading)
4
untoward(adjective, unfavorable, ominous, unpromising)
3
checking(verb, dissuading)
3
disapproving(adjective, depressing, pessimistic, unenthusiastic, unhelpful)
3
exhausting
3
frightening(adjective, hard, severe, offensive, distressing)
3
frustrating(verb, de-motivating)
3
impeding(verb, adjective, hard, severe, offensive)
3
inauspicious(adjective, dull, gloomy, miserable, unfavorable)
3
unnerving(verb, upsetting, worrying, troubling)
3
wearisome(adjective, hard, severe, offensive, distressing)
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APASmart Define. (2015). discouraging thesaurus. Retrieved September 23, 2026, from https://smartdefine.org/discouraging/thesaurus/synonyms
ChicagoSmart Define. 2015. "discouraging thesaurus" https://smartdefine.org/discouraging/thesaurus/synonyms (accessed September 23, 2026).
HarvardSmart Define 2015, discouraging thesaurus, Smart Define, viewed 23 September, 2026, <https://smartdefine.org/discouraging/thesaurus/synonyms>.
MLASmart Define. "discouraging thesaurus" 13 April 2015. Web. 23 September 2026. <https://smartdefine.org/discouraging/thesaurus/synonyms>