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
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
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
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
Adjective
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
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dispiriting
Adjective
-
For those dealing with the disheartening struggles of infertility, this is good news.—
Abby McCloskey,
Twin Cities,
29 Oct. 2025
-
At the end of the day, the result was a bit disheartening.—
Daniel Sperry,
Kansas City Star,
14 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
But a September report from SANDAG’s internal auditor was discouraging.—
U T Editorial Board,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 Nov. 2025
-
The initiative also coincides with the $100,000 H-1B application fee, introduced September 21, two days after the DOL announcement—a White House move aimed at discouraging bulk filings by staffing and outsourcing firms.—
Robert Alexander,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
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
-
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
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
-
Despite suffering demoralizing losses in 2024 and grappling with persistently low approval ratings, Democrats have reasons to be optimistic about the 2026 cycle.—
Kevin Breuninger,Dan Mangan,
CNBC,
4 Nov. 2025
-
The Jays were able to put their demoralizing, 18-inning loss the night before behind them as the bats came back to life.—
Kendall Capps,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Cellos and basses may be rumbling along on a frighteningly low melody, as the woodwinds are pecking like a riot in a chicken coop, while the high strings are sustaining a cluster of odd, disconcerting notes.—
Toria Sheffield,
PEOPLE,
29 Dec. 2025
-
The macro view is more disconcerting.—
Mark Zeigler,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
21 Dec. 2025
Adjective
-
The decision to pivot into an emerging industry like cannabis can be both exciting and daunting.—
Peter Su,
Rolling Stone,
6 Jan. 2026
-
The path to the AFC title game is not overly daunting.—
Daniel Popper,
New York Times,
5 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Authorities said police responded to reports of a burglary early morning, when security staff alerted officers of the troubling incident.—
Bonny Chu,
FOXNews.com,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Indeed, squandering fourth-quarter advantages become a troubling trend for the Ravens in Harbaugh’s last few seasons, and after a hamstring injury sidelined Jackson, Baltimore stumbled to a 1-5 start in 2025.—
Noah Trister,
Denver Post,
6 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dispiriting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dispiriting. Accessed 9 Jan. 2026.
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