dishearten

verb

dis·​heart·​en (ˌ)dis-ˈhär-tᵊn 

disheartened; disheartening; disheartens

transitive verb

: to cause to lose hope, enthusiasm, or courage : to cause to lose spirit or morale

were disheartened by the news

dishearteningly

(ˌ)dis-ˈhärt-niŋ-lē 

-ˈhär-tᵊn-iŋ-

adverb

disheartenment

(ˌ)dis-ˈhär-tᵊn-mənt 

noun

Synonyms

• discourage
• frustrate

Examples of dishearten in a Sentence

The conflict between their families disheartened them.

we were disheartened by the news that our grandmother was seriously ill

Recent Examples on the Web

But for a teenager itching to see more of Britain—and eventually the world—that lack of curiosity was disheartening. —Rohan Banerjee, Time, 23 Aug. 2025

As a parent and pediatrician, Glazier said he is disheartened by Florida’s downward trend in childhood immunization rates. —Cindy Krischer Goodman, Sun Sentinel, 18 Aug. 2025

We were very disheartened by [racist remarks] and confused by that reaction. —Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 18 Aug. 2025

The 48-year-old Chico resident said he was also disheartened by the rowdy crowd, which shouted over much of LaMalfa’s response to his question. —Nicole Nixon, Sacbee.com, 11 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1590, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for dishearten

• carton
• garten
• marten
• parton
• quartan
• spartan
• tartan
• kindergarten

Kids Definition

dishearten

verb

dis·​heart·​en (ˈ)dis-ˈhärt-ᵊn 

: to deprive of courage and hope : discourage

disheartening

-ˈhärt-niŋ

-ᵊn-iŋ

adjective

dishearteningly

-lē 

adverb

disheartenment

-ˈhärt-ᵊn-mənt 

noun