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

That’s left doting parents like Joy disheartened. —Eli Cahan, Rolling Stone, 16 Oct. 2025

After her birthday present didn’t go over well with her best friend, a disheartened — and confused — woman shared her side of things on Mumsnet. —Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 11 Oct. 2025

To see a government shut down on the heels of that progress is disheartening, Explore Asheville CEO Vic Isley said. —Briah Lumpkins, Charlotte Observer, 3 Oct. 2025

Engelbert issued a corporate-speak statement about being disheartened by Collier’s comments and how her commitment to the players and league will not waver. —Zach Harper, New York Times, 1 Oct. 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