verb

cause (someone) to lose confidence or enthusiasm.

tedious regulations could discourage investors

dishearten,dispirit,demoralize,make despondent,make downhearted,cast down,depress,disappoint,dampen someone’s hopes,dash someone’s hopes,cause to lose heart,put off,unnerve,daunt,intimidate,cow,unman,crush,deject,disheartened,dispirited,demoralized,deflated,disappointed,let down,disconsolate,despondent,fed up,dejected,downcast,depressed,crestfallen,dismayed,low-spirited,gloomy,glum,pessimistic,unenthusiastic,having lost heart,lacking in enthusiasm,lacking in confidence,unconfident,daunted,intimidated,cowed,crushed,down in the mouth,down in the dumps,unenthused,with cold feet,heartsick,heartsore,chap-fallen,depressing,demoralizing,disheartening,dispiriting,disappointing,off-putting,unfavourable,unpromising,not hopeful,not encouraging,unpropitious,inauspicious,dejecting