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

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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 The defender, who has other interest from European clubs, was not downhearted that a switch to West Ham fell through in the summer. Roshane Thomas, New York Times, 2 Dec. 2025 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 The sight of him sitting in his room, alone and downhearted, was too much. John Carlisle, USA TODAY, 1 Sep. 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for downhearted
Adjective
  • Aside from the loneliness, Rowland says day-after-day stuck inside has left her depressed and fearing the worst.
    Ashley Sharp, CBS News, 28 Jan. 2026
  • The first episode largely focuses on the male perspective through the eyes of the angry, lonely, and depressed Jeremy (Jaquel Spivey).
    Barry Levitt, Time, 22 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • Domingo Morel, a professor at New York University who studies state takeovers of local schools, said most local residents wind up unhappy with the methods used by state interventionists and the results.
    Bri Hatch, Chalkbeat, 26 Jan. 2026
  • Audrey, the single and childless and PhD-less product of a stable but unhappy home, has fallen short of the life planned out for her by her parents.
    Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 24 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • Grifters can be analyzed by affect (jolly, cold, angry, greedy, sad) and/or by gender.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 23 Jan. 2026
  • There are no more smiles and no more hand-holding, only two sad adults.
    Jeanne Phillips, Mercury News, 22 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • That Scottish title follows the tragic story of British teenager Molly Russell, who was driven by social media to take her own life in 2017, and her heartbroken father’s quest to uncover the truth behind her death.
    Diana Lodderhose, Deadline, 21 Jan. 2026
  • Upon arriving at the South Mississippi home where the dogs were chained up, the rescuers were heartbroken to find that one of the puppies had already died.
    Desiree Anello, PEOPLE, 19 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • On a tour full of reasons to be miserable, England will leave Australia with at least one ray of light for the future.
    Tim Spiers, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
  • The series centers around Timmy Turner, a miserable 10-year-old whose life improves significantly after he is given two fairy godparents named Wanda and Cosmo.
    Will Harris, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • There’s less Lou Reed swagger and more Paul Simon melancholy, a survey of modern American accoutrements and spiritual confusion delivered with a shrug.
    Linnie Greene, Pitchfork, 21 Jan. 2026
  • At some point this winter — maybe a few days, maybe a few weeks — melancholy will fade and Hurricanes fans will be able to appreciate all that was accomplished during a season when UM got back its good name and returned to prominence.
    Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 20 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • In the footage, Rivera is initially apologetic to the trooper who pulls him over, saying sorry for going through a red light.
    Colleen Cronin, Boston Herald, 22 Jan. 2026
  • Bloom’s Keiwon Gulley is too irrepressible and in the moment to ever feel sorry for himself.
    Patrick Z. McGavin, Chicago Tribune, 19 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • Buss reportedly was upset with the way James dismissed his part in pursuing Westbrook and blamed others after the move failed, according to ESPN.
    Janis Carr, Oc Register, 23 Jan. 2026
  • The 14-year-old’s girlfriend told investigators that Givens had threatened over Snapchat to kill her 1½-year-old son and that the 14-year-old was upset about it, the complaint says.
    Nick Ferraro, Twin Cities, 23 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Downhearted.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/downhearted. Accessed 29 Jan. 2026.

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