dishearten

dis·heart·en

transitive verb \(ˌ)dis-ˈhär-t^ən\

Definition of DISHEARTEN

: to cause to lose spirit or morale

— dis·heart·en·ing·ly \-ˈhärt-niŋ-lē, -ˈhär-t^ən-iŋ-\ adverb

— dis·heart·en·ment \-ˈhär-t^ən-mənt\ noun

Examples of DISHEARTEN

1. The conflict between their families disheartened them.
2. <we were disheartened by the news that our grandmother was seriously ill>

First Known Use of DISHEARTEN

1590

Related to DISHEARTEN

Synonyms

chill, daunt, demoralize, discourage, dismay, dispirit, frustrate, unman, unnerve

Antonyms

embolden, encourage, hearten, nerve, steel

Related Words

browbeat, bully, cow, intimidate; depress, sadden, weigh; afflict, try; damp, dampen, deaden; distress, trouble; bother, irk, vex, worry; debilitate, enfeeble, undermine, weaken; frighten, horrify, scare

Near Antonyms

buoy (up), cheer, gladden; animate, enliven, invigorate; enforce, fortify, reinforce (also reenforce), strengthen; assure, reassure; boost, energize, excite, galvanize, inspire, lift, provoke, quicken, rally, stimulate, stir

Rhymes with DISHEARTEN

baum marten, Dumbarton, freemartin, pine marten, Saint Martin