DOWNHEARTED Synonyms: 168 Similar and Opposite Words

downhearted

adjective

ˈdau̇n-ˈhär-təd

Definition of downhearted

as in depressed

feeling unhappiness downhearted because his best friend was taking a job out of state

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of downhearted In the grand scheme of things, neither should be too downhearted. — Greg O'Keeffe, New York Times, 26 Jan. 2026 McRae has also made progress carving out an artistic identity—trading downhearted power ballads for sleek, club‑ready cuts that blend R&B, hip‑hop, and dance‑pop. — Rachel Brodsky, Time, 30 Sep. 2025 Created by Sirius Cybernetics Corporation with GPP (Genuine People Personalities), Marvin is programmed to be unerringly downhearted. — Jill Lepore, The New Yorker, 30 Sep. 2024 Near the end of this downhearted saga, Esmeralda gives a speech, explanatory despite its poetic language, about the mistreatment of her people in this country — her fury even more palpable in her delivery than in the words themselves. — Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 12 Apr. 2024

Recent Examples of Synonyms for downhearted

Adjective

Celebrated as masterpieces today, at the time they were regarded as the unpolished works of a depressed, crazy man and commercially worthless.

— Joan Martelli, Time, 17 Oct. 2026
In the event of a severe winter or import bottlenecks, depressed storage levels not only narrow Europe's capacity to absorb supply shocks but also risk driving natural gas prices higher.

— , CNBC, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of depressed

Adjective

The electorate is frustrated and unhappy Voters were sour heading into Tuesday, with the midterm electorate deeply unhappy with the country’s direction and pessimistic about the future, according to The AP Voter Poll.

— Jill Colvin, Chicago Tribune, 4 Nov. 2026
Voting is the only way out for anyone who’s unhappy with a government headed toward authoritarianism.

— Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 3 Nov. 2026

Definition of unhappy

Adjective

Anyway, this Jive is unfortunately lacking in both energy and sharp footwork and is generally kind of sad, but Maura and Mark still manage to get 8s.

— Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 3 Nov. 2026
The company’s intention is probably to leverage nostalgia to build hype for Nintendo’s big launch, but there’s also something a little sad about this.

— Ryan Whitwam, ArsTechnica, 2 Nov. 2026

Definition of sad

Adjective

The victim’s heartbroken father said his son had been bullied by a couple of students at the school who were recently suspended — and believes the bullying may have something to do with Javits’ murder.

— Julian Roberts-Grmela, New York Daily News, 1 Nov. 2026
The death of Sir Patrick Stewart has left Hollywood heartbroken as his co-stars, colleagues, and fellow actors recall rare encounters, days on set, and priceless advice the acting legend shared with them.

— Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 29 Oct. 2026

Definition of heartbroken

Adjective

Madeleine is beautiful and melancholy, spending hours driving around San Francisco and contemplating a painting that seems to haunt her.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Oct. 2026
Gentling the Horse’s absurdist humor and breakneck tempos signify a sharp break from 2023’s melancholy The Art of Forgetting.

— Zach Schonfeld, Pitchfork, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of melancholy

Adjective

But the case took a twist when the store received a package containing the watch -- and a handwritten note saying sorry, the Asahi Shimbun newspaper and other media reported on Monday, citing unnamed investigative sources.

— CBS News, CBS News, 3 Nov. 2026
Feeling sorry for this perfectly happy couple, however, was not.

— Judith Martin, Sun Sentinel, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of sorry

Adjective

There was no upset this time in the season opener for TCU men’s basketball as the Horned Frogs rolled to a 98-59 win over Lindenwood Monday night at Schollmaier Arena.

— Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Nov. 2026
Hafley was naturally upset about Ollie Gordon’s unsportsmanlike conduct penalty that turned into a 3rd and 5 into a 3rd and 20 that the Dolphins didn’t convert during the Patriots’ 21-0 run.

— Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 2 Nov. 2026

Definition of upset

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downgrading

downhearted

downheartedly

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“Downhearted.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/downhearted. Accessed 5 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of downhearted

adjective

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