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
Anna Nemtsova, The Atlantic, 30 Sep. 2025
Though disheartening, its abrupt cancellation wasn’t uncommon, especially for television shows that featured Black talent.
—Essence, 18 Sep. 2025
Fear of failure Failure can be disheartening, embarrassing and often downright devastating — especially in entrepreneurship, when your reputation and finances could be on the line.
—Ashton Jackson, CNBC, 16 Sep. 2025
Everyone is responsible for this disappointing, disheartening 0-2 start the Dolphins are on, and that includes the media that’s covering the team.
—Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 15 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dishearten
Verb
Street concerts and underground gatherings offer a rare hint of hope for the many young Russians who have grown disheartened by Moscow’s prolonged war and deepening repression.
—Anna Nemtsova, The Atlantic, 30 Sep. 2025
Though disheartening, its abrupt cancellation wasn’t uncommon, especially for television shows that featured Black talent.
—Essence, 18 Sep. 2025
Fear of failure Failure can be disheartening, embarrassing and often downright devastating — especially in entrepreneurship, when your reputation and finances could be on the line.
—Ashton Jackson, CNBC, 16 Sep. 2025
Everyone is responsible for this disappointing, disheartening 0-2 start the Dolphins are on, and that includes the media that’s covering the team.
—Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 15 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dishearten
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dishearten
Verb
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If what once felt easy starts to get complicated, don’t be discouraged.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
28 Oct. 2025
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Officials say these measures are aimed at discouraging irregular migration and securing the border, contributing to a notable decline in Border Patrol apprehensions compared with previous years.—
Billal Rahman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Postpartum depression can cause a range of symptoms, including intense feelings of sadness, anxiety, or despair that keeps new moms from being able to go about their daily life, per the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG).—
Korin Miller,
SELF,
28 Oct. 2025
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Business leaders should take note that anxiety without agency deepens despair.—
Melissa Jun Rowley,
Rolling Stone,
28 Oct. 2025
Verb
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By the end of last season, Ancelotti was getting frustrated with how some of his stars were losing focus and not applying their talents to the benefit of collective success.—
Dermot Corrigan,
New York Times,
31 Oct. 2025
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Since the four-day week started, Corbin said, she’s been frustrated that some of her children’s teachers have stopped sending homework, and that others have directed students to take the lead during parent-teacher conferences.—
Ilana Arougheti
Updated October 30,
Kansas City Star,
30 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Lamenting the state of life in a post-pandemic world, Peck offers an alternative to the dismay and disconnection of modernity with a dreamy, escapist country melody that offers to make like the title and simply float off into the distance.—
Stephen Daw,
Billboard,
31 Oct. 2025
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Consequently, the creeping dismay of Henry Hill’s tablemates is at least as significant as Ray Liotta’s rising panic and fear.—
Graham Hillard,
The Washington Examiner,
31 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dishearten.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dishearten. Accessed 2 Nov. 2025.
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