as in discouraging
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 disheartening
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
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 dispiriting
Dan Duggan, New York Times, 6 Oct. 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
Adam Grosbard, Oc Register, 11 Oct. 2025
The Dolphins took an all-time dispiriting L in their 2025 opener to the Indianapolis Colts, the kind that prompts a players-only meeting after Week 1.
—Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025
There is no question that the study of history and its conflicts, injustices and exclusions can be dispiriting.
—Annie Polland, Time, 25 Sep. 2025
The Giants have dropped two division games to start their season — first a dispiriting 21-6 loss to the Washington Commanders followed by a 40-37 heartbreaker to the Dallas Cowboys in overtime.
—Pete Sweeney, Kansas City Star, 18 Sep. 2025
After Week 1, a dispiriting 20-13 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders, those hopes had to be reeled in.
—Jon Vankin, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Sep. 2025
The endgame here of every state except maybe a few purple ones having representatives from only one party is really dispiriting — this clearly is not what the Congressional system was set up to be.
—Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 28 Aug. 2025
Similar condos are now being built from the Upper West Side (handsome) to Greenpoint (dispiriting).
—Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 11 Aug. 2025
In this excerpt, adapted from Seller’s memoir, Theater Kid (out on May 6 from Simon & Schuster), the producer lays out the musical’s long road from dispiriting workshop to its simultaneously triumphant and tragic first preview performance.
—Jeffrey Seller, Vulture, 11 Apr. 2025
Verb
The rookie’s miscue sent the Giants to one of the most dispiriting losses of the tenure of Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen.
—Dan Duggan, New York Times, 6 Oct. 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
Adjective
The Rams want to start their nine-day road trip – to the East Coast and then London – with a victory, as well as bounce back from last week’s dispiriting loss to the San Francisco 49ers.
—Adam Grosbard, Oc Register, 11 Oct. 2025
The Dolphins took an all-time dispiriting L in their 2025 opener to the Indianapolis Colts, the kind that prompts a players-only meeting after Week 1.
—Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025
There is no question that the study of history and its conflicts, injustices and exclusions can be dispiriting.
—Annie Polland, Time, 25 Sep. 2025
The Giants have dropped two division games to start their season — first a dispiriting 21-6 loss to the Washington Commanders followed by a 40-37 heartbreaker to the Dallas Cowboys in overtime.
—Pete Sweeney, Kansas City Star, 18 Sep. 2025
After Week 1, a dispiriting 20-13 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders, those hopes had to be reeled in.
—Jon Vankin, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Sep. 2025
The endgame here of every state except maybe a few purple ones having representatives from only one party is really dispiriting — this clearly is not what the Congressional system was set up to be.
—Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 28 Aug. 2025
Similar condos are now being built from the Upper West Side (handsome) to Greenpoint (dispiriting).
—Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 11 Aug. 2025
In this excerpt, adapted from Seller’s memoir, Theater Kid (out on May 6 from Simon & Schuster), the producer lays out the musical’s long road from dispiriting workshop to its simultaneously triumphant and tragic first preview performance.
—Jeffrey Seller, Vulture, 11 Apr. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dispiriting
Verb
-
Trump is attacking immigration at both ends of spectrum, deporting low-wage laborers and discouraging skilled foreigners from bringing their talents to the United States.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
18 Oct. 2025
-
In many faith traditions, mental health can be a stigmatized topic, discouraging open dialogue for those struggling with issues like depression or anxiety.—
Lauren Costantino,
Miami Herald,
16 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
At the end of the day, the result was a bit disheartening.—
Daniel Sperry,
Kansas City Star,
14 Sep. 2025
-
Seeing that textbook go to waste felt very disheartening.—
Sami Khan,
Mercury News,
9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
On top of this dismaying thought comes the realization that the AI is available 24x7 and at a low cost or perhaps even free.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
19 Sep. 2025
-
But the drum sound wasn’t nearly as dismaying as the studio’s piano, which kept slipping out of tune.—
Peter Ames Carlin,
Rolling Stone,
13 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Juzang went 6-for-8 from 3-point range in a 135-134 loss to the Indiana Pacers on Tuesday night, igniting the Wolves after a demoralizing first half against the defending Eastern Conference champions.—
Jon Krawczynski,
New York Times,
8 Oct. 2025
-
The first came at a demoralizing time for the Patriots’ offense.—
Doug Kyed,
Boston Herald,
21 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The result was a disconcerting 31-28 loss that relegated the Chiefs to 2-3 and leaves us to question anew just who and what this team is.—
Chris Ochsner,
Kansas City Star,
7 Oct. 2025
-
Overall, more disconcerting for staffers at the network are Paramount’s plans for significant layoffs later this year.—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
6 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Whatever evil befalls the poor child is left up to viewers' imaginations, and this is accomplished by a chilling series of shots and a daunting musical motif.—
Steven Thrash,
Entertainment Weekly,
19 Oct. 2025
-
His liver will keep him supine, doused until it’s done with its daunting task of detoxification.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
17 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The loss of Nick Bosa (ACL tear) in Week 3 was already troubling for the defense, but Fred Warner's likely season-ending ankle injury in Week 6 was a serious blow for San Francisco.—
Jordan Sigler,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Oct. 2025
-
His failures with a clean pocket on Friday were troubling.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
18 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The problem of teacher vacancies at MPS — a nationwide issue as fewer graduates enter the profession — has been pervasive and troublesome.—
Rory Linnane,
jsonline.com,
17 Oct. 2025
-
Even thought Waller was back in the NFL, on-the-field success didn’t quiet Waller’s troublesome inner voice.—
Omar Kelly
Updated October 17,
Miami Herald,
17 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dispiriting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dispiriting. Accessed 22 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share