dishearten 1 of 2

disheartenment

2 of 2

noun

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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of dishearten
Verb
The 48-year-old Chico resident said he was also disheartened by the rowdy crowd, which shouted over much of LaMalfa’s response to his question. Nicole Nixon, Sacbee.com, 11 Aug. 2025 The thrill of bringing a vision to life often comes with long hours, late nights, heavy responsibilities—and disheartening mistakes. Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2025 During a brief break from touring at the beginning of March, Colonel wrote to Tom Diskin, clearly disheartened by his inability to make any headway with Neal. Jem Aswad, Variety, 5 Aug. 2025 District parent Sequoia Williams, who has been outspoken in her advocacy for better student resources, said hearing how the district was contributing toward bills for a single credit card was disheartening. Olivia Stevens, Chicago Tribune, 28 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for dishearten
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dishearten
Verb
  • Her ancestor’s analytic model discouraged self-revelation by the therapist, but Freud often meets her guests’ excavations of desire and vulnerability with her own candid recollections.
    Rebecca Mead, New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2025
  • Speaker Johnson is giving the high ground to the Democrats by discouraging Thomas Massie's petition.
    Nick Mordowanec, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The feelings of postpartum depression — despair, guilt, shame and worthlessness — began creeping in.
    Alyssa Goldberg, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2025
  • Some of the movie’s best scenes highlight the deep despair of that life, emphasizing how Meursault is indeed a stranger (or outsider, as the title of the book was first translated to in English) in a land under occupation.
    Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 2 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The more time went on, the more Mourinho grew visibly frustrated with his role at United.
    Carl Anka, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2025
  • What's Next The government faces steep socioeconomic and cultural headwinds that have frustrated other nations, and whether ending the two-child policy will make a significant difference on the trend remains uncertain.
    Micah McCartney, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Good morning, In April 2023, Rose’s Fine Food owner Molly Mitchell announced the closing of the charming diner after nine years, to much dismay.
    Lyndsay C. Green, Freep.com, 4 Sep. 2025
  • Swift’s dismay about a powerful ex became a fable for any girl courted by an older guy.
    Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 4 Sep. 2025

Cite this Entry

“Dishearten.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dishearten. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on dishearten

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!