Antonyms of verb discourage

1 of 3 senses of discourage

Sense 2
discourage -- (deprive of courage or hope; take away hope from; cause to feel discouraged)
       Antonym of encourage (Sense 2)
      => encourage -- (inspire with confidence; give hope or courage to)

Synonyms/Hypernyms (Ordered by Estimated Frequency) of verb discourage

3 senses of discourage

Sense 1
deter, discourage -- (try to prevent; show opposition to; "We should discourage this practice among our youth")
       => disapprove, reject -- (deem wrong or inappropriate; "I disapprove of her child rearing methods")

Sense 2
discourage -- (deprive of courage or hope; take away hope from; cause to feel discouraged)

Sense 3
warn, discourage, admonish, monish -- (admonish or counsel in terms of someone's behavior; "I warned him not to go too far"; "I warn you against false assumptions"; "She warned him to be quiet")
       => rede, advise, counsel -- (give advice to; "The teacher counsels troubled students"; "The lawyer counselled me when I was accused of tax fraud")

Antonyms of adj discouraged

2 senses of discouraged

Sense 1
demoralized, demoralised, discouraged, disheartened -- (made less hopeful or enthusiastic; "desperate demoralized people looking for work"; "felt discouraged by the magnitude of the problem"; "the disheartened instructor tried vainly to arouse their interest")

INDIRECT (VIA pessimistic) -> optimistic -- (expecting the best in this best of all possible worlds; "in an optimistic mood"; "optimistic plans"; "took an optimistic view")

Sense 2
discouraged -- (lacking in resolution; "the accident left others discouraged about going there")

INDIRECT (VIA irresolute) -> resolute -- (firm in purpose or belief; characterized by firmness and determination; "stood resolute against the enemy"; "faced with a resolute opposition"; "a resolute and unshakeable faith")

Similarity of adj discouraged

2 senses of discouraged

Sense 1
demoralized, demoralised, discouraged, disheartened -- (made less hopeful or enthusiastic; "desperate demoralized people looking for work"; "felt discouraged by the magnitude of the problem"; "the disheartened instructor tried vainly to arouse their interest")
       => pessimistic (vs. optimistic) -- (expecting the worst possible outcome)

Sense 2
discouraged -- (lacking in resolution; "the accident left others discouraged about going there")
       => irresolute (vs. resolute) -- (uncertain how to act or proceed; "the committee was timid and mediocre and irresolute")