Synonyms of dishearten

dishearten 1 of 2

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

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

• despair
• dismay
• discouragement
• defeatism
• depression
• demoralization
• despondency
• dejection
• melancholy
• gloom
• dispiritedness
• resignation
• blues
• pessimism
• dumps
• mopes

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• encouragement
• optimism
• sanguinity

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of dishearten

Verb

Many of MacLeod’s fans were enraged and disheartened about his AI use online. — Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 30 July 2026

There is nothing quite as disheartening of a travel mishap than arriving to your destination (or back home) and not finding your luggage on the carousel at the airport. — Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 22 July 2026

These answers reflect a pretty clear, if slightly disheartening, picture of what is in store for the Falcons at the quarterback position. — Josh Kendall, New York Times, 16 July 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