discouraged
Feeling quite deflated
Discouraged describes a state of having lost confidence, enthusiasm, or hope, typically after setbacks or criticism.
Someone who feels discouraged has had their motivation dampened: After months of rejection letters, she was discouraged but kept applying.
The word can also describe something that has been actively opposed or dissuaded: Smoking is discouraged on hospital grounds.
This second sense comes from the verb discourage, meaning to persuade someone against a course of action or to make something less likely to happen.
Sad or despondent
- crestfallenSad from disappointment
- dispiritedHaving lost heart
- dejectedLow in spirits
- despondentDeeply discouraged, hopeless
downhearted · low-spirited · glum · blue · melancholy · forlorn · woeful · doleful
Overcome in contest
- crushedCompressed into fragments
- brokenDamaged beyond function
- beatenHaving lost a contest
- demotivatedWithout will to continue
deflated · disenchanted · disillusioned · sapped · uninspired · hopeless · resigned · dispirited
Prevented through intimidation
- warnedGave advance notice
- cautionedGave a warning
- advisedGave guidance to
- restrainedHeld under control
counseled · diverted · redirected · prevented · forestalled · disinclined · swayed · influenced
Made fearful by threat
- overwhelmedDefeated by sheer volume
- unnervedMade anxious or unsettled
- dismayedDistressed by shock
- shakenDisturbed or agitated
fazed · rattled · perturbed · unsettled · alarmed · apprehensive · hesitant · timid
downcast
Sad or despondent
- crestfallenSad from disappointment
- dispiritedHaving lost heart
- dejectedLow in spirits
despondent · downhearted · low-spirited · glum · blue · melancholy · forlorn · woeful · doleful · gloomy
defeated
Overcome in contest
demotivated · deflated · disenchanted · disillusioned · sapped · uninspired · hopeless · resigned · dispirited · deject
deterred
Prevented through intimidation
restrained · counseled · diverted · redirected · prevented · forestalled · disinclined · swayed · influenced
intimidated
Made fearful by threat
- overwhelmedDefeated by sheer volume
- unnervedMade anxious or unsettled
- dismayedDistressed by shock
shaken · fazed · rattled · perturbed · unsettled · alarmed · apprehensive · hesitant · timid · cowed
frustrated
Annoyed by obstacles
obstructed · stymied · hampered · foiled · checked · baffled · balked · setback · unsuccessful · derailed
- unacceptableunacceptable, inappropriate, improper, wrong, forbidden
- dejectiondejected, despondent, dispirited, downcast, hopeless
- fatwasfatwa
- irritabilitycranky, grouchy, grumpy, irritated, annoyed
discourage, discouraging, discouragement, discourages, discourager, discouragers, discouragements, undiscouraged