as in disheartening
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as in discouraging
to lessen the courage or confidence of
dispirited by the overwhelming amount of information needed to write the report
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Recent Examples of dispiriting
Randy Myers, Mercury News, 8 Jan. 2026
In Week 16, Detroit had a first and goal from the 1-yard line in the final seconds against the Pittsburgh Steelers but failed to score the go-ahead touchdown in a dispiriting loss.
—Rohan Nadkarni, NBC news, 26 Dec. 2025
Then there’s the somewhat dispiriting fact that stadium-level rock bands are dwindling for younger generations, so much so that these offers to push out older acts are almost done by necessity.
—Devon Ivie, Vulture, 13 Nov. 2025
Yes, that was a dispiriting afternoon, but most impartial observers would agree Farke’s side were competitive, if blunt at Turf Moor.
—Beren Cross, New York Times, 3 Nov. 2025
Some folks harbor a dispiriting conviction that governments are unable to handle the simplest task.
—Teri Sforza, Oc Register, 22 Aug. 2025
Let’s establish all of that up front after the Carolina Panthers’ dispiriting, 20-3 exhibition loss at Houston Saturday.
—Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 17 Aug. 2025
Whether driven by social apathy or artistic passion, James—effortlessly played by O’Connor with hangdog elegance—registers as a compelling update of the ’70s American male loner archetype for another dispiriting, directionless time.
—Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 5 Aug. 2025
Jon Krawczynski, New York Times, 9 Jan. 2026
By studying the moon's size, the chemical makeup of its rocky core and the gravitational forces at work from the gas giant Jupiter, a team of scientists came to a conclusion that may be dispiriting to those searching for life beyond Earth.
—Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 8 Jan. 2026
Navigating the city’s shelter system alone can be dispiriting and fruitless.
—Saumya Roy, The Dial, 6 Jan. 2026
In this dispiriting context, podcasts have grown all the more appealing.
—Thomas Chatterton Williams, The Atlantic, 30 Dec. 2025
Being alone at a romantic resort like Las Ventanas may sound dispiriting to some.
—Matt Ortile, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Dec. 2025
Thanksgiving can be delightful or draining, a festive feast or a dispiriting dirge.
—Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 27 Nov. 2025
The loss was particularly dispiriting given it came on the back of Sacramento’s first winning streak of the season with a victory Saturday in Denver — which ended an eight-game skid — and a win Monday against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
—Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 27 Nov. 2025
Philadelphia is coming off a dispiriting loss to the Cowboys that ratcheted up the pressure on the struggling offense.
—Rohan Nadkarni, NBC news, 26 Nov. 2025
Adjective
Some might take issue that actual recordings get used, but given the message this expertly made film so emphatically presents, that haunting voice makes the film all that more powerful, meaningful and dispiriting.
—Randy Myers, Mercury News, 8 Jan. 2026
In Week 16, Detroit had a first and goal from the 1-yard line in the final seconds against the Pittsburgh Steelers but failed to score the go-ahead touchdown in a dispiriting loss.
—Rohan Nadkarni, NBC news, 26 Dec. 2025
Then there’s the somewhat dispiriting fact that stadium-level rock bands are dwindling for younger generations, so much so that these offers to push out older acts are almost done by necessity.
—Devon Ivie, Vulture, 13 Nov. 2025
Yes, that was a dispiriting afternoon, but most impartial observers would agree Farke’s side were competitive, if blunt at Turf Moor.
—Beren Cross, New York Times, 3 Nov. 2025
Some folks harbor a dispiriting conviction that governments are unable to handle the simplest task.
—Teri Sforza, Oc Register, 22 Aug. 2025
Let’s establish all of that up front after the Carolina Panthers’ dispiriting, 20-3 exhibition loss at Houston Saturday.
—Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 17 Aug. 2025
Whether driven by social apathy or artistic passion, James—effortlessly played by O’Connor with hangdog elegance—registers as a compelling update of the ’70s American male loner archetype for another dispiriting, directionless time.
—Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 5 Aug. 2025
Verb
In the summer of 2024, after a dispiriting loss to the Dallas Mavericks in the Western Conference finals, Edwards and Wolves assistant coach Chris Hines went to work on honing his 3-point shot to combat how the Mavs packed the paint to take away his superpower — attacking the rim.
—Jon Krawczynski, New York Times, 9 Jan. 2026
By studying the moon's size, the chemical makeup of its rocky core and the gravitational forces at work from the gas giant Jupiter, a team of scientists came to a conclusion that may be dispiriting to those searching for life beyond Earth.
—Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 8 Jan. 2026
Navigating the city’s shelter system alone can be dispiriting and fruitless.
—Saumya Roy, The Dial, 6 Jan. 2026
In this dispiriting context, podcasts have grown all the more appealing.
—Thomas Chatterton Williams, The Atlantic, 30 Dec. 2025
Being alone at a romantic resort like Las Ventanas may sound dispiriting to some.
—Matt Ortile, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Dec. 2025
Thanksgiving can be delightful or draining, a festive feast or a dispiriting dirge.
—Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 27 Nov. 2025
The loss was particularly dispiriting given it came on the back of Sacramento’s first winning streak of the season with a victory Saturday in Denver — which ended an eight-game skid — and a win Monday against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
—Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 27 Nov. 2025
Philadelphia is coming off a dispiriting loss to the Cowboys that ratcheted up the pressure on the struggling offense.
—Rohan Nadkarni, NBC news, 26 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dispiriting
Adjective
-
If right, their conclusion implies a disheartening lesson amid the otherwise-welcome news.—
Charles Fain Lehman,
The Atlantic,
20 Jan. 2026
-
Dallas is coming off a disheartening loss on Sunday against the Tampa Bay Lightning and has lost 10 of its last 12 games.—
SportsDay Staff,
Dallas Morning News,
19 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
In a 2025 prison interview included in the documentary, Young defends his treatments and denies making anyone sick or discouraging his patients from seeing their doctors.—
Alexandra Schonfeld,
PEOPLE,
12 Jan. 2026
-
Fixating on the outcome and then having trouble achieving that goal can be discouraging.—
Gillian Mohney,
Verywell Health,
9 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
With little to no foil for this dismaying existence, however, Half His Age often succumbs to shock value in lieu of pushing beyond that which offends.—
Fran Hoepfner,
Vulture,
22 Jan. 2026
-
Democratic leaders actually were troubled by Mamdani’s rise (although their preference for a disgraced former governor was equally dismaying), but Democratic voters handed Mamdani a solid victory despite his radical positions.—
Steven Greenhut,
Oc Register,
28 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Mack and the Chargers’ defense pressured quarterbacks Jalen Hurts of the Eagles and Patrick Mahomes of the Chiefs, frustrating them and keeping them out of their comfort zones.—
Elliott Teaford,
Oc Register,
20 Dec. 2025
Adjective
-
So, very demoralizing, devastating to lose anyone’s life, especially in that manner.—
Nick Friedell,
New York Times,
10 Jan. 2026
-
Winfrey shared the demoralizing experience in her 2017 cookbook, Food, Health, and Happiness.—
Avalon Hester,
PEOPLE,
31 Dec. 2025
Adjective
-
Fitting a narrow criteria There’s a more disconcerting reason why so few applied — DeSantis’ exceedingly narrow preference for right-wing soulmates and fellow members of the Federalist Society.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
22 Jan. 2026
-
Stray Hairs Stray hairs lingering in the tub drain, on the floor, or in the sink can be quite disconcerting.—
Lauren Landers,
The Spruce,
19 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Several New Jersey school districts are planning to welcome students back on Tuesday, but some places, like Jersey City, have been forced to cancel classes for a second day due to the clean-up after the snowstorm proving to be a daunting task.—
Andrew Ramos,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
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But procrastinating can make the chore feel more daunting and perpetuate the cycle of not wanting to do it at all.—
Jasmin Suknanan,
CNBC,
24 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The Orange County Register also published details of a February 2025 state investigation that found troubling practices at the hospital, which serves many poor and vulnerable patients.—
Tony Saavedra,
Oc Register,
24 Jan. 2026
-
Mace was not working that day and sent two troubling text messages to a co-worker, Christina O'Shea.—
DAN MORSE THE WASHINGTON POST,
Arkansas Online,
23 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dispiriting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dispiriting. Accessed 30 Jan. 2026.
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