Meaning & use
unencouraging
Last updated
Meaning
adjectivenot comparableformalrare
not giving hope or confidence; discouraging
Grammar: Usually describes a result, sign, or situation: an unencouraging response.
Patterns
- unencouraging result
- unencouraging response
- unencouraging sign
The test results were unencouraging, so the team changed its approach.
She received an unencouraging reply to her job application.
The weather forecast was unencouraging for the outdoor event.
Common combinations
- unencouraging result
- The first trial gave unencouraging results.
- unencouraging response
- His unencouraging response made her hesitate.
- unencouraging sign
- There were unencouraging signs that the economy was slowing.
Synonyms and how they differ
- discouraging
- Much more common and natural in everyday English.
- disheartening
- Stronger; it suggests making someone lose confidence or enthusiasm.
Opposites
Word family
- encourage verb
- To give someone confidence or support.
- encouraging adjective
- Giving hope or confidence.
Commonly confused: unencouraging or discouraging?
unencouraging vs discouraging
This is the usual word; 'unencouraging' is very rare and sounds formal or old-fashioned.
Practice
The initial data was ______, so the scientists decided to repeat the experiment.
Choose one answer.
An adjective is needed after 'was'. 'Unencouraging' fits; 'unencouraged' describes a person who lacks encouragement, not data.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “unencouraging”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.