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dishearten

[dis-hahr-tn]
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verb (used with object)
  1. to depress the hope, courage, or spirits of; discourage.
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Origin of dishearten

First recorded in 1590–1600; dis-1 + hearten
Related formsdis·heart·en·er, noundis·heart·en·ing·ly, adverbdis·heart·en·ment, nounun·dis·heart·ened, adjective

Synonyms

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dismay, daunt, deject, dispirit.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words

dismaydiscouragedispirithumbledeterdejectdauntdemoralizehumiliatecrushdampendampdashshakedisparagechillindisposedisincline

Examples from the Web for dishearten

Historical Examples

  • "But I am not trying to dishearten anyone, Lieutenant," Weiss answered in astonishment.

    The Downfall

    Emile Zola

  • The defeat did not dishearten him, for again Dalton covered the board with gold.

  • He said nothing, not wishing perhaps to dishearten his companion.

    The Beach of Dreams

    H. De Vere Stacpoole

  • Laughter is a weapon that will dishearten the most persistent man-follower.

    Women's Wild Oats

    C. Gasquoine Hartley

  • To beat a combatant is to disable or dishearten him for further fighting.

    English Synonyms and Antonyms

    James Champlin Fernald

British Dictionary definitions for dishearten

dishearten

verb
  1. (tr) to weaken or destroy the hope, courage, enthusiasm, etc, of
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Derived Formsdishearteningly, adverbdisheartenment, noun
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

Word Origin and History for dishearten

v.

1590s (first recorded in "Henry V"), from dis- "the opposite of" + hearten. Related: Disheartened; disheartening.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper