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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in despair
the state of being discouraged
our excusable disheartenment in the face of overwhelming odds against winning the game
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of dishearten
Megan Cartwright, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Nov. 2025
Arsenal go into the break disappointed, but not disheartened.
—James McNicholas, New York Times, 9 Nov. 2025
Add a breast cancer diagnosis—with its potential surgeries, scars and treatment side effects—and the pressure to conform to outdated beauty standards can feel disheartening.
—Tabitha Britt, Flow Space, 30 Oct. 2025
Anta, the son of Cuban and Colombian immigrants, says he's disheartened by the images.
—NPR, 29 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dishearten
Verb
As for the media coverage surrounding his death, the false narratives are disheartening and disrespectful to the legacy of a wonderful man.
—Megan Cartwright, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Nov. 2025
Arsenal go into the break disappointed, but not disheartened.
—James McNicholas, New York Times, 9 Nov. 2025
Add a breast cancer diagnosis—with its potential surgeries, scars and treatment side effects—and the pressure to conform to outdated beauty standards can feel disheartening.
—Tabitha Britt, Flow Space, 30 Oct. 2025
Anta, the son of Cuban and Colombian immigrants, says he's disheartened by the images.
—NPR, 29 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dishearten
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dishearten
Verb
-
Teachers at Flushing High School argue that the school’s grading policy discourages students who put in consistent effort.—
Center Square,
The Washington Examiner,
13 Jan. 2026
-
He was widely discouraged from a career in cartoons, and after a series of rejections, majored in economics.—
People Staff,
PEOPLE,
13 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Whichever way the Denver Broncos' season finishes -- if the coming weeks bring glory or despair -- the story of the end begins in a tiny corner of a hallway inside Empower Field.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
21 Jan. 2026
-
Whichever way the Broncos’ 2025 season finishes — if the coming weeks bring glory or despair — the story of the end begins in a tiny corner of a hallway inside Empower Field.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
20 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Parents frustrated by ticket limits Parents are also voicing concerns.—
Ted Scouten,
CBS News,
21 Jan. 2026
-
Even Republicans who were frustrated with Carney’s speech predicted the US-Canada relationship would remain unscathed by his harsh assessment of America’s role in the world.—
Eleanor Mueller,
semafor.com,
21 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
There is bafflement alongside the dismay.—
Alexander Smith,
NBC news,
10 Jan. 2026
-
My seven-year-old, the daredevil of the family, was just an inch or so off the height requirements for zip lining high above the Central Park neighborhood and the FlowRider surf simulator, much to her dismay.—
Chrissie McClatchie,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dishearten.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dishearten. Accessed 22 Jan. 2026.
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