Synonyms of dishearten

dishearten

verb

(ˌ)dis-ˈhär-tᵊn 

as in to discourage

to lessen the courage or confidence of

we were disheartened by the news that our grandmother was seriously ill

Synonyms & Similar Words

• discourage
• frustrate
• daunt
• dispirit
• intimidate
• frighten
• demoralize
• unnerve
• scare
• bother
• worry
• afflict
• dismay
• unman
• horrify
• browbeat
• chill
• try
• throw cold water on
• distress
• sadden
• trouble
• depress
• weigh
• bully
• cow
• weaken
• undermine
• deaden
• dampen
• vex
• debilitate
• irk
• damp
• enfeeble

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• encourage
• nerve
• steel
• cheer
• hearten
• embolden
• enforce
• reinforce
• assure
• enliven
• strengthen
• animate
• gladden
• reassure
• invigorate
• stimulate
• fortify
• excite
• buoy (up)
• inspire
• provoke
• stir
• lift
• energize
• quicken
• boost
• rally
• galvanize

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of dishearten

Rinderknecht’s father, who attended the whole trial, said he was disheartened by the judge’s decision to keep his son in custody. — Rebecca Ellis, Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2026

Gomez said the search has been disheartening, with their hopes of staying in the city of Hammond beginning to wane. — Anna Ortiz, Chicago Tribune, 13 June 2026

The trio also acknowledged how demoralizing and disheartening the recent spate of firings, and the lack of explanation for them, has been. — Marlow Stern, Variety, 11 June 2026

For fans who just started to watch the NBA again, and there are many, that's a disheartening development. — Bobby Burack Outkick, FOXNews.com, 4 June 2026