dishearten

to lessen the courage or confidence of we were disheartened by the news that our grandmother was seriously ill Synonyms chill, daunt, demoralize, discourage, dismay, dispirit, frustrate, unman, unnerveRelated Words browbeat, bully, cow, intimidate; depress, sadden, weigh; afflict, try; damp, dampen, deaden; distress, trouble; bother, irk, vex, worry; debilitate, enfeeble, undermine, weaken; frighten, horrify, scareNear Antonyms buoy (up), cheer, gladden; animate, enliven, invigorate; enforce, fortify, reinforce (also reenforce), strengthen; assure, reassure; boost, energize, excite, galvanize, inspire, lift, provoke, quicken, rally, stimulate, stirAntonyms embolden, encourage, hearten, nerve, steel