What does discouragingly mean?
Discouragingly is an adverb describing actions, situations, or results that cause people to lose confidence, hope, or motivation. It derives from the verb discourage, which itself traces back through Old French to Latin cor, meaning heart — so to discourage is etymologically to remove heart or courage from someone. In modern usage, discouragingly most often appears as an intensifier before an adjective: progress can be discouragingly slow, turnout discouragingly small, and test scores discouragingly low. It may also describe behavior that disheartens others, as in a teacher speaking discouragingly about a student's prospects. The word carries a firmly negative connotation and appears in both formal writing and everyday speech. Its antonyms include encouragingly and reassuringly, words that restore rather than drain resolve. Because disappointment is a universal experience, discouragingly remains a precise and useful tool for describing setbacks of any scale.
In a manner that causes loss of confidence, hope, or enthusiasm; dishearteningly.
"She spoke discouragingly about his chances of passing the bar exam."
To a disappointingly inadequate degree; used to intensify an adjective describing an unwelcome quantity or quality.
"Attendance at the lecture was discouragingly sparse."
The word 'discourage' literally means to take away someone's heart — so something that happens discouragingly is, quite literally, heart-removing.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of discouragingly
Discouragingly is formed from the verb discourage plus the adverbial suffix -ly. Discourage entered English from French décourager in the late Middle Ages (around the early 15th century), ultimately deriving from Late Latin coraticum, based on Latin cor, meaning heart. The literal sense was thus to deprive someone of heart or courage. Cognates sharing this root include encourage, courage, courageous, and encouragement.
Related word forms
How discouragingly is actually used
Neutral register, suitable for formal and informal contexts. Often used before adjectives to intensify a disappointing quality, as in 'discouragingly high' failure rates. Carries a negative connotation by definition.
Easily confused with discouragingly
Discourteously means in a rude or impolite manner, while discouragingly means in a way that dampens hope or enthusiasm.