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

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

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

Monica Sorelle’s debut sensitively views the disheartening changes afoot through the eyes of a fictional Haitian family — demolition worker dad (Atibon Nazaire), seamstress mom (Sheila Anozier) and wannabe stand-up comedian son (Chris Renois). —Randy Myers, The Mercury News, 16 Oct. 2024

Do not get disheartened by negativity or skepticism. —Expert Panel®, Forbes, 15 Oct. 2024

Despite the infighting that flared up among hunters, Pam Harte, an activist and producer on the film, was disheartened that the film didn’t have more legislative influence. —Britta Lokting, Rolling Stone, 13 Oct. 2024

Try not to get disheartened if things don’t work out. —Tanyel Mustafa, refinery29.com, 26 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1590, in the meaning defined above

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