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.

Many young voters say that would dishearten them.

From Barron's • Feb. 3, 2026

I began to wonder what we were going to find in this wasteland, but I didn’t want to say anything to dishearten Duncan.

From Seattle Times • May 24, 2024

In “On Fire,” Naomi Klein’s purpose is not to dishearten but to awaken us to the growing global movement called the Green New Deal.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 31, 2023

Each day, 22 people die in want of organs, which should dishearten all Americans.

From Washington Post • Mar. 31, 2023

“Do not be dishearten, young bahss. Today, we will be foun, to be true.”

From "The Cay" by Theodore Taylor

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