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 of dishearten

• 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

Local sellers, rather than disheartened, are already navigating the current challenges and discovering new opportunities in the process. — Ed Meza, Variety, 11 Sep. 2026

But their responses echoed those of Anita, and Kiju wandered home disheartened. — Literary Hub, 11 Sep. 2026

Markle had also remarked early on that she was disheartened that so much coverage of her romance focused on her ethnicity. — Los Angeles Times, 24 Aug. 2026

John Andrew Segebarth, a 21-year-old college student and Eagle Scout, has been disheartened by the agreement. — Jamie Stengle, Fortune, 31 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1590, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for dishearten

• carton
• garten
• marten
• parton
• 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