1. to advise or act against; make someone feel less able
Professional
Social
discourage from, discouraging to see/hear
'To discourage' someone means to advise them against doing something or to make them feel as if they are not capable of doing something. To discourage is the opposite of to encourage. You might discourage someone from doing something that might be damaging to themselves or others, or to prevent them from embarrassing you or themselves. This is a common verb used in social and professional contexts.