highly discouraged

USAGE SUMMARY

"highly discouraged" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to emphasize that a certain behavior or action is strongly discouraged and should not be done. For example: Cheating on exams is highly discouraged and any students caught doing so will face severe consequences.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

Because of the physical and environmental hazards, recreation on the river is highly discouraged.

The New York Times

The use of tissues is highly discouraged, as they have been shown to collect in open trash receptacles and become breeding grounds for contamination.

The New Yorker

After citing bingo in churches, Brand said, "We prefer not to try to regulate that kind of activity, but it's highly discouraged".

The New York Times

Visits on Saturdays and Sundays before 2 P.M. are highly discouraged, and can result in lengthy delays at the border (see "Getting There and Away").

The New Yorker

They spoke the truth, but such spontaneous displays of appreciation — for Elwes or for the movie — were highly discouraged by the organizers: "You are not funnier or smarter than this movie — do not try," they said.

The New Yorker

It is probably also safe to assume that getting pregnant while on operational duty is highly discouraged in their training.

Life Sciences, Society and Policy

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

For Deutsche Telekom, the prospect of trying to acquire only Qwest and being sued by U S West appears highly discouraging.

The New York Times

Webb ducked: If Obama or Clinton asked, "I would highly discourage them," and "I'm not that interested".

Huffington Post

Eventually, I dieted and food was hidden from me, something I highly discourage as a parent and as an eating disorder survivor.

Huffington Post

Sure, it might be highly discouraging to watch the successful progeny of dynastic wealth -- think the scions of the Houses of Trump, Hilton and Newhouse.

Huffington Post

"Involvement in this unrecognized organization could pose risks to students, and the university highly discourages individuals from joining them," reads a 2010 document from AU.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "highly discouraged", clearly state the reasons why an action is discouraged to provide context and justification.

Common error

Avoid using "highly discouraged" in very formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise and professional language to convey the message with greater clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "highly discouraged" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a state, action, or object. It serves to express disapproval and advise against a particular course of action. As seen in Ludwig, this expression is valid and commonly used in English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

31%

Wiki

28%

Science

24%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "highly discouraged" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to convey strong disapproval or advisement against a particular action. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. As evidenced by the examples, this phrase is frequently found in news, wiki, and scientific contexts. While generally acceptable, it's important to consider the audience and context, opting for more formal alternatives like "strongly advised against" in academic or highly professional settings. To ensure clarity and impact, always provide the reasoning behind discouraging a particular action. By understanding these nuances, you can effectively use "highly discouraged" to communicate disapproval with precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

strongly advised against

Indicates a strong recommendation not to do something; emphasizes advice rather than discouragement.

should be avoided

A more direct suggestion to avoid something; implies a cautionary note.

not recommended

A more neutral way of saying something isn't advised; lacks the strong negative connotation.

not encouraged

Lacks the intensity of "highly discouraged"; suggests a milder form of disapproval.

strongly disapproved of

Focuses on the act of disapproval rather than advising against the action.

seriously frowned upon

Implies a social or cultural disapproval; suggests actions are viewed negatively.

ill-advised

Highlights the lack of wisdom in an action; suggests it's a poor choice.

best to avoid

Suggests avoidance as a preferable course of action; implies potential negative consequences.

not a good idea

An informal way of expressing that something is not recommended, lacking the formality.

to be avoided if possible

Introduces a condition of possibility to the avoidance; suggests flexibility.

FAQs

How can I use "highly discouraged" in a sentence?

You can use "highly discouraged" to express that an action or behavior is strongly not recommended. For example, "The use of tissues is highly discouraged, as they have been shown to collect in open trash receptacles".

What's a more formal alternative to "highly discouraged"?

In more formal settings, you could use phrases like "strongly advised against" or "not recommended" to convey a similar meaning with increased professionalism.

Is it always appropriate to use "highly discouraged"?

While "highly discouraged" is generally acceptable, consider your audience and the context. In some formal or technical contexts, a more precise or nuanced phrase might be preferable.

What's the difference between "highly discouraged" and "not encouraged"?

"Highly discouraged" implies a stronger level of disapproval than "not encouraged". "Highly discouraged" suggests there are significant negative consequences or strong reasons to avoid something, while "not encouraged" simply means it's not actively supported.