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

This is disheartening to hear and reflects a larger paradigm where men’s sports are prioritized, Assistant Professor of Sport Management at the University of Florida, Dr. Molly Harry, who studies collegiate sport as well as gender equity issues, said. —Allison Smith, Forbes.com, 11 Apr. 2025

There’s a disheartening irony in being featured in an exhibit at the Met and still struggling to access consistent support and visibility as a working model in this industry. —Aariana Rose Philip, Footwear News, 31 Mar. 2025

What disheartens us is that these opportunities for genuine discourse are being hijacked by extremists and people whose behavior is disruptive and unproductive. —The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 24 Mar. 2025

For the many who live with this form of pain, the study’s results may be disheartening. —Sarah Garone, Health, 24 Mar. 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