different between overpower vs discourage

English

Etymology

over- +? power

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /??v??pa??/
• (US) IPA^(key): /o?.v??pa??.?/

Verb

overpower (third-person singular simple present overpowers, present participle overpowering, simple past and past participle overpowered)

1. (transitive) To subdue someone by superior force.

   We overpowered the opposing army within a couple of hours.

2. (transitive) To excel or exceed in power; to cause to yield; to subdue.

   Bright light overpowers the eyes.
3. (transitive) To render imperceptible by means of greater strength, intensity etc.

   The dish was OK, but the garlic slightly overpowered the herbs.
4. (video games, transitive) To make excessively powerful.

   Antonym: nerf

Translations

English

Etymology

From Middle French descourager (modern French décourager), from Old French descouragier, from des- and corage. Surface analysis dis- +? courage.

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /d?s?k???d??/
• (General American) IPA^(key): /d?s?k??d??/
• Hyphenation: dis?cour?age

Verb

discourage (third-person singular simple present discourages, present participle discouraging, simple past and past participle discouraged) (transitive)

1. (transitive) To extinguish the courage of; to dishearten; to depress the spirits of; to deprive of confidence; to deject.

   • Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.

2. (transitive) To persuade somebody not to do (something).
   • 1854, Abraham Lincoln. Notes for a Law Lecture

     Discourage litigation. Persuade your neighbors to compromise whenever you can.

Synonyms

• becourage
• deter
• dissuade

Antonyms

• encourage

Translations

Noun

discourage (uncountable)

1. (rare) Lack of courage

Synonyms

• (lack of courage): cowardliness

Further reading

• discourage in The Century Dictionary, New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911.