dishearten

dis·heart·en

verb \(ˌ)dis-ˈhär-t^ən\

Definition of DISHEARTEN

transitive verb

: 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

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Rhymes with DISHEARTEN

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