as in to discourage
to lessen the courage or confidence of
dispirited by the overwhelming amount of information needed to write the report
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in disheartened
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
1
as in sadness
a state or spell of low spirits
experienced a period of general dispiritedness following the birth of her first child
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in despair
the state of being discouraged
the dispiritedness experienced by the losing team in the Super Bowl must be staggering
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in discouraged
to lessen the courage or confidence of
dispirited by the overwhelming amount of information needed to write the report
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 dispirit
Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 2 Mar. 2026
All these elements evolved against a dispiriting backdrop.
—Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 24 Feb. 2026
Dan Petrella, Chicago Tribune, 15 Mar. 2026
Immediately, a dispirited city administration came to life, with particular focus on quality-of-life issues affecting residents and visitors.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 7 Jan. 2026
Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 9 Feb. 2026
Trump ends the year weak and unpopular, his coalition dispirited and riven by infighting.
—Michelle Goldberg, Mercury News, 30 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dispirit
Verb
For those of Republican persuasion, the coming election should be dispiriting for a party that once ruled the Lake County political roost.
—Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 2 Mar. 2026
All these elements evolved against a dispiriting backdrop.
—Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 24 Feb. 2026
Adjective
On the Republican side in the Senate race, former Illinois GOP Chair Don Tracy spent the day knocking on doors in his hometown of Springfield alongside his 10-year-old grandson Charles, urging dispirited conservative voters to turn out Tuesday.
—Dan Petrella, Chicago Tribune, 15 Mar. 2026
Immediately, a dispirited city administration came to life, with particular focus on quality-of-life issues affecting residents and visitors.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 7 Jan. 2026
Verb
Jett, her veteran superstar, is getting old; the other players are dispirited.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 9 Feb. 2026
Trump ends the year weak and unpopular, his coalition dispirited and riven by infighting.
—Michelle Goldberg, Mercury News, 30 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dispirit
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dispirit
Adjective
-
And whose heart didn’t swell with pride when the disheartened Malinin immediately pulled himself together to congratulate Mikhail Shaidorov of Kazakhstan, who skated away with the top honors?—
Donna Vickroy,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Relieved of their blindfolds, the men now wore heavy rucksacks filled with colored rocks representing their anger (red), guilt and shame (black), and sadness (blue).—
Charles Bethea,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Reaction to the news Monday that the Connecticut Sun WNBA team is officially being moved to Houston was of sadness and regret in Connecticut, especially amongst those who had tried to keep the professional women’s basketball team in the state over the last year.—
Lori Riley,
Hartford Courant,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The festival hopes to encourage artists and fans to turn to comedy, theater, creativity and community instead of despair.—
Candace Hansen,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Resisting despair, both private and social, has long been central to Lerner’s mission.—
Giles Harvey,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Those dejected fans can find solace in the words of K-pop idols, some of whom preach about the importance of acceptance and self-worth.—
Mitchell McCluskey,
CNN Money,
22 Mar. 2026
-
The actor Marisa Abela plays her in a binary state of panic and swagger by sobbing like a dejected child or slyly grinning like one who’s about to wolf down an ice-cream cake.—
Spencer Kornhaber,
The Atlantic,
2 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
This sharp satire of the entertainment industry tackles serious issues like addiction and depression while never skimping on the jokes.—
Andrew Walsh,
Entertainment Weekly,
5 Apr. 2026
-
In 2024, Ryyan was diagnosed with depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder, or OCD.—
Kennedy Cook,
CBS News,
5 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Much to the dismay of White Sox fans, the team’s home opener was delayed Thursday, with the game postponed a day due to the aforementioned weather.—
Claire Malon,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Speaking to the Star-Telegram, Ledet expressed dismay at how her son’s case has been handled from the beginning.—
Matthew Adams,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
3 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
There’s no way to describe what happens next except as love disappointed.—
Alice Kaplan,
The New York Review of Books,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Janet got right back in her car and had to deal with a disappointed and screaming child all the way home who just wanted to swim in a pool with his friends and not have to deal with the damn drama.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Those searching for a way out of the shutdown seemed discouraged.—
Stephen Groves,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Mar. 2026
-
Outdoor burning is discouraged.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
28 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dispirit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dispirit. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
