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
Olivia Singh, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
But Trump has also disheartened Iranians by downplaying the regime’s violence.
—Arash Azizi, The Atlantic, 20 Jan. 2026
Assistance from other churches The fire in their beloved church has been disheartening, Afanasyev said.
—Talia McWright, Twin Cities, 24 Dec. 2025
Overland Park resident Sarah Andrews is also disheartened by the abrupt closing.
—Beth Lipoff, Kansas City Star, 17 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dishearten
Verb
The four episodes feature lots of returning cast members and new faces, but fans of Anthony (Jonathan Bailey) and Kate Bridgerton (Simone Ashley), the viscount and viscountess, will be disheartened to learn that the couple doesn’t make an appearance in part one.
—Olivia Singh, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
But Trump has also disheartened Iranians by downplaying the regime’s violence.
—Arash Azizi, The Atlantic, 20 Jan. 2026
Assistance from other churches The fire in their beloved church has been disheartening, Afanasyev said.
—Talia McWright, Twin Cities, 24 Dec. 2025
Overland Park resident Sarah Andrews is also disheartened by the abrupt closing.
—Beth Lipoff, Kansas City Star, 17 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dishearten
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dishearten
Verb
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The American Academy of Pediatrics discourages digital media for children younger than 18 months, except for video chatting.—
Miriam Fauzia,
Dallas Morning News,
2 Mar. 2026
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City officials say the goal is to discourage prolonged property neglect and promote compliance with property maintenance standards.—
David Garrick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
2 Mar. 2026
Noun
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If only for a moment, the despair and dread of war had been interrupted by hope.—
Yousra Elbagir,
Time,
25 Feb. 2026
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Helplessness can beget despair.—
Megan Garber,
The Atlantic,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Responses ranged from truckers frustrated by the rule to others who argued trucks should use separate service stations.—
Karoline Leonard,
Austin American Statesman,
25 Feb. 2026
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Many European governments have been frustrated that China hasn’t done more to pressure Russia to end the fighting.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
25 Feb. 2026
Noun
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His Health Secretary, Robert F Kennedy Jr, an advocate of healthy eating, has repeatedly expressed his dismay at his boss’s diet.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
28 Feb. 2026
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Insiders at the station say they have been deluged with emails and texts expressing dismay over Nexstar’s moves, which eliminated a number of staffers with decades of experience and institutional knowledge.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dishearten.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dishearten. Accessed 4 Mar. 2026.
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