(v. t.) To discourage; to deprive of courage and hope; to depress the spirits of; to deject.

anticipate avert awe bar beat down cast down chill damp dampen dampen the spirits darken dash daunt debar deflect deject demoralize depress deter disappoint discontent discourage disgruntle disparage dispirit displease dissatisfy estop exclude faze fend fend off forbid foreclose forestall help keep from keep off knock down lower lower the spirits obviate oppress overawe preclude press down prevent prohibit put out repel rule out sadden save shake sink stave off stop turn aside ward off weigh heavy upon weigh upon