dishearten

[dis-hahr-tn]

verb (used with object)

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

   Synonyms: dismay, dispirit, deject, daunt

dishearten

/ dɪsˈhɑːtən /

verb

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

Other Word Forms

• disheartener noun
• disheartenment noun
• dishearteningly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of dishearten¹

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

Example Sentences

But believe it or not, Philly fans had to endure a similarly disheartening day nearly 42 years ago, according to sports statistician Greg Harvey.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

"It would be disheartening if the removal of alleged fugitives to Britain put ordinary citizens at increased risk of being sent the other way," she added.

Read more on BBC

That is disheartening, but it also explains why Emmys producers chose such an aggressive strategy to curtail speeches.

Read more on Salon

And if your attitude is that you don't and that we are, in fact, scamming the system in some way, then it's so disheartening.

Read more on BBC

“There are many levels to this but what’s so disheartening is to see the few wealthy elite say, ‘We got ours.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• daunt 
• deject 
• demoralize 
• deter 
• discourage 
• dismay 
• dispirit 
• humble 
• humiliate