General Antonyms:
* Discourage - This is the most direct opposite, meaning to make someone less likely to do something.
* Deter - This implies actively trying to prevent someone from doing something.
* Dissuade - This means to persuade someone not to do something.
* Dampen - This suggests reducing enthusiasm or excitement.
* Quash - This implies completely suppressing something.
Contextual Antonyms:
* Criticize (if the encouragement was about a specific action)
* Ignore (if the encouragement was about someone's efforts)
* Reject (if the encouragement was about a proposal)
To choose the best antonym, consider the specific situation and what you want to convey.