crestfallen

adjective

crest·​fall·​en ˈkrest-ˌfȯ-lən How to pronounce crestfallen (audio)
Synonyms of crestfallennext
1
: very sad and disappointed : dejected
After losing the playoff game, the team was crestfallen.
2
: having a drooping crest or hanging head
crestfallenly adverb
crestfallenness noun

Examples of crestfallen in a Sentence

she was crestfallen when she found out she hadn't got the job
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Despite the fightback, the Swedes, who had one all three previous races, were crestfallen. ABC News, 14 Feb. 2026 The decision has left students crestfallen. Olivia Palombo, FOXNews.com, 12 Nov. 2025 Those are encouraging strides on a team that was understandably crestfallen Sunday, when Warner dislocated and fractured his right ankle, which was surgically repaired Tuesday at Stanford Hospital. Cam Inman, Mercury News, 16 Oct. 2025 Dafoe plays this encounter with a sly crestfallen radiance. Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 30 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for crestfallen

Word History

Etymology

see crest entry 1

First Known Use

1589, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of crestfallen was in 1589

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Crestfallen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/crestfallen. Accessed 26 Feb. 2026.

Kids Definition

crestfallen

adjective
crest·​fall·​en ˈkrest-ˌfȯ-lən How to pronounce crestfallen (audio)
: very sad and disappointed

More from Merriam-Webster on crestfallen

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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