Definition of downheartednext
as in depressed
feeling unhappiness downhearted because his best friend was taking a job out of state

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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 downhearted In the grand scheme of things, neither should be too downhearted. Greg O'Keeffe, New York Times, 26 Jan. 2026 McRae has also made progress carving out an artistic identity—trading downhearted power ballads for sleek, club‑ready cuts that blend R&B, hip‑hop, and dance‑pop. Rachel Brodsky, Time, 30 Sep. 2025 Despite the boos, Hogan wasn't completely downhearted. Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Newsweek, 5 Feb. 2025 Created by Sirius Cybernetics Corporation with GPP (Genuine People Personalities), Marvin is programmed to be unerringly downhearted. Jill Lepore, The New Yorker, 30 Sep. 2024 Near the end of this downhearted saga, Esmeralda gives a speech, explanatory despite its poetic language, about the mistreatment of her people in this country — her fury even more palpable in her delivery than in the words themselves. Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 12 Apr. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for downhearted
Adjective
  • Children, yes, but families, grown-ups, single people, divorced people, cheerful people, depressed people, dog people, cat people, Dodgers fans, Padres fans, whomever.
    Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2026
  • But there are some important factors that could lower their ceiling, namely depressed enthusiasm with some key groups, the fact that there are fewer competitive districts than ever before and the state of the redistricting battle.
    Domenico Montanaro, NPR, 9 May 2026
Adjective
  • Wait times, and particularly in the emergency department, wait times were skyrocketing, patient satisfaction, and everybody was just generally unhappy.
    Torie Bosch, STAT, 9 May 2026
  • Sources have told Deadline that Fox was originally unhappy with the creative on Season 14 of the show, but collaborated with the creative team and was ultimately sated.
    Peter White, Deadline, 8 May 2026
Adjective
  • The failure of so many in the political world to speak up displays a sad and growing moral bankruptcy.
    Bobby Zirkin, Baltimore Sun, 14 May 2026
  • Don’t be sad — this is not a farewell forever.
    Denni Hu, Footwear News, 14 May 2026
Adjective
  • So, understandably, they were left heartbroken after discovering the dog had escaped his yard on Chicago's Northwest Side.
    Escher Walcott, PEOPLE, 13 May 2026
  • The Beckhams, who sold their crash pad in One Museum Tower in downtown Miami, but maintain a spec house in Miami Beach, are said to be heartbroken about the estrangement.
    Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 13 May 2026
Adjective
  • Amid the Wave’s miserable season that followed both on and off the field, Shaw asked for a trade to the North Carolina Courage, which was granted ahead of the 2025 season.
    Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 May 2026
  • The Jets finished last in rushing attempts in a wholly miserable campaign.
    Zack Rosenblatt, New York Times, 9 May 2026
Adjective
  • He can be wounded and sensitive (as in In the Mood for Love), mysterious and melancholy (as in Wong’s 2046), or slick and savage (as in Ang Lee’s Lust, Caution).
    Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 14 May 2026
  • Certain Regard strand in 2016, or his melancholy, elegantly structured exploration of grief, Love Life, a Venice competitor from 2022.
    Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 13 May 2026
Adjective
  • As this page has chronicled, everything from airline turf wars and safety concerns to a sorry on-time performance went into that determination.
    The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 11 May 2026
  • For those wishing to hand everyone an F for not winning the Stanley Cup, sorry.
    Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 9 May 2026
Adjective
  • If the Cavaliers pull the Game 7 upset, Game 1 will play out at Madison Square Garden.
    Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 16 May 2026
  • Away to a Newcastle team that has won just one of their last six league matches and has little to play for at this stage of a disappointing season, there could be an opportunity for West Ham to cause an upset.
    Graham Ruthven, New York Times, 15 May 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Downhearted.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/downhearted. Accessed 17 May. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on downhearted

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster