disheartening

[dis-hahr-tn-ing]

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.

Other Word Forms

• dishearteningly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of disheartening¹

dishearten ( def. ) + -ing ² ( def. )

Example Sentences

But beyond all the hype lies a disheartening reality: The business behind the stock has continued to struggle.

Read more on MarketWatch

Southern Section commissioner Mike West said last month, “We’ve had a real influx of fraudulent paperwork. It’s been significant and very disheartening.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

"Ten years after the Paris Agreement and we are still trying to lobby," he told AFP, adding that backtracking by polluters was "very disheartening".

Read more on Barron's

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

Related Words

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