Useful opposites or contrasts to “encourage” include Discourage, Dissuade, and Deter. The best choice depends on the sense of “encourage” in the sentence, so the list below focuses on accurate contextual contrasts rather than treating every word as interchangeable.
Which Contrast to “Encourage” Fits Best?
- Discourage
- Dissuade
- Deter
- Demoralize
- Dishearten
- Undermine
- Hinder
- Impede
- Inhibit
- Suppress
- Stifle
- Oppose
- Criticize
- Reject
- Sabotage
- Obstruct
Discourage
“Discourage” contrasts with “encourage” when the focus is reduce someone’s confidence or willingness to act. It provides a clear opposite in that particular context.
Example: The editor used “Discourage” for the sense of reduce someone’s confidence or willingness to act.
Dissuade
Use “Dissuade” to express persuade someone not to take an action. That meaning moves in the opposite direction from “encourage”, although the exact contrast depends on the sentence.
Example: The editor used “Dissuade” for the sense of persuade someone not to take an action.
Deter
“Deter” works as a contrast to “encourage” where the intended sense is make someone less likely to act through fear or difficulty. This is especially useful when the original word has more than one meaning.
Example: The editor used “Deter” for the sense of make someone less likely to act through fear or difficulty.
Demoralize
“Demoralize” emphasizes damage someone’s confidence or morale, making it a useful counterpoint to “encourage”. Check the surrounding wording before treating it as a direct antonym in every context.
Example: The editor used “Demoralize” for the sense of damage someone’s confidence or morale.
Dishearten
“Dishearten” contrasts with “encourage” when the focus is cause someone to lose hope or enthusiasm. It provides a clear opposite in that particular context.
Example: The editor used “Dishearten” for the sense of cause someone to lose hope or enthusiasm.
Undermine
Use “Undermine” to express weaken confidence, authority, or effectiveness. That meaning moves in the opposite direction from “encourage”, although the exact contrast depends on the sentence.
Example: The editor used “Undermine” for the sense of weaken confidence, authority, or effectiveness.
Hinder
“Hinder” works as a contrast to “encourage” where the intended sense is make progress or action more difficult. This is especially useful when the original word has more than one meaning.
Example: The editor used “Hinder” for the sense of make progress or action more difficult.
Impede
“Impede” emphasizes delay or obstruct progress, making it a useful counterpoint to “encourage”. Check the surrounding wording before treating it as a direct antonym in every context.
Example: The editor used “Impede” for the sense of delay or obstruct progress.
Inhibit
“Inhibit” contrasts with “encourage” when the focus is restrain or discourage an action or process. It provides a clear opposite in that particular context.
Example: The editor used “Inhibit” for the sense of restrain or discourage an action or process.
Suppress
Use “Suppress” to express prevent expression, activity, or development. That meaning moves in the opposite direction from “encourage”, although the exact contrast depends on the sentence.
Example: The editor used “Suppress” for the sense of prevent expression, activity, or development.
Stifle
“Stifle” works as a contrast to “encourage” where the intended sense is hold back expression, growth, or enthusiasm. This is especially useful when the original word has more than one meaning.
Example: The editor used “Stifle” for the sense of hold back expression, growth, or enthusiasm.
Oppose
“Oppose” emphasizes actively resist a plan, idea, or action, making it a useful counterpoint to “encourage”. Check the surrounding wording before treating it as a direct antonym in every context.
Example: The editor used “Oppose” for the sense of actively resist a plan, idea, or action.
Criticize
“Criticize” contrasts with “encourage” when the focus is express disapproval rather than support. It provides a clear opposite in that particular context.
Example: The editor used “Criticize” for the sense of express disapproval rather than support.
Reject
Use “Reject” to express refuse to accept or support. That meaning moves in the opposite direction from “encourage”, although the exact contrast depends on the sentence.
Example: The editor used “Reject” for the sense of refuse to accept or support.
Sabotage
“Sabotage” works as a contrast to “encourage” where the intended sense is deliberately damage an effort or plan. This is especially useful when the original word has more than one meaning.
Example: The editor used “Sabotage” for the sense of deliberately damage an effort or plan.
Obstruct
“Obstruct” emphasizes place barriers in the way of progress, making it a useful counterpoint to “encourage”. Check the surrounding wording before treating it as a direct antonym in every context.
Example: The editor used “Obstruct” for the sense of place barriers in the way of progress.
Choosing the Right Contrast to “Encourage”
When choosing a contrast to “encourage,” identify the exact sense first and then match the grammar of the original sentence. A word can be a strong opposite in one setting and only a loose contrast in another, so context should decide the final choice.