disheartening

American  

[dis-hahr-tn-ing] / dɪsˈhɑr tn ɪŋ /

adjective

1. depressing a person’s hope, courage, or spirits; discouraging.

   It's been disheartening to see some of her old habits and fears returning, even though they aren't as bad as when she was much younger.

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Other Word Forms

• dishearteningly
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of disheartening

dishearten ( def. ) + -ing ² ( def. )

Explanation

Something disheartening causes you to lose your confidence or enthusiasm. It's disheartening when your basketball team loses four games in a row. Breaking disheartening down to its parts, you can see the dis- prefix, meaning "not" or "take away," and the figurative heart, "good feelings or courage." While a heartening message from your pen pal cheers you up, anything disheartening does the opposite. A disheartening grade on your big English paper brings you down, and disheartening news can make your whole family feel a little depressed. If it's disheartening, it's a bummer.

Example Sentences

"It is disheartening, but we just go and we get on with it," she said.

From BBC • May 6, 2026

The most disheartening aspect of Mr. Pielke’s op-ed is that his peer-reviewed efforts to correct the record were met with silence.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 5, 2026

Meanwhile, after 11 losses in a row, the team is left facing a disheartening reality.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 20, 2026

"It took a lot of time, a lot of money and a lot of effort. It's just such a waste and it's so disheartening."

From BBC • Mar. 13, 2026

Mom and Dad waited in line with their card for their designated food supply, and it was disheartening to see my parents so powerless.

From "How Dare the Sun Rise" by Sandra Uwiringiyimana

Related Words

• alarming
• astounding
• awful
• dire
• dreadful
• frightening
• frightful
• ghastly
• harrowing
• hideous
• horrible
• horrific
• shocking
• terrible
• terrifying