Synonyms

dishearten

American

[dis-hahr-tn] / dɪsˈhɑr tn /

verb (used with object)

to depress the hope, courage, or spirits of; discourage.

Synonyms:

dismay, dispirit, deject, daunt

dishearten British

/ dɪsˈhɑːtən /

verb

(tr) to weaken or destroy the hope, courage, enthusiasm, etc, of

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

disheartener noun
dishearteningly adverb
disheartenment noun

Etymology

Origin of dishearten

First recorded in 1590–1600; dis- ¹ + hearten

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Abby, now 21, said she was "disheartened" to hear there were still issues with bullying.

From BBC

While the situation is disheartening, Warner is looking to spearhead a positive outcome.

From BBC

The plant's owner insists it adheres to required emission thresholds, but the government's closure U-turn has left some locals disheartened.

From Barron's

He speculated that scholars and Americans in general were too disheartened by Vietnam to want to contemplate a traumatic rupture like the Civil War.

From The Wall Street Journal

Many young voters say that would dishearten them.

From Barron's

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023