dishearten
verb
dis·heart·en
(ˌ)dis-ˈhär-tᵊn 
disheartened; disheartening; disheartens
: to cause to lose hope, enthusiasm, or courage : to cause to lose spirit or morale
were disheartened by the news
Synonyms
Examples of dishearten in a Sentence
The conflict between their families disheartened them.
we were disheartened by the news that our grandmother was seriously ill
Recent Examples on the Web
While a disheartening string of losses, there’s at least some reason for optimism.
—
Contributed Content, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025
Walmart Faces Questions After Rolling Back DEI By Aman Kidwai
Workplaces Editor
14
For an HR or diversity leader, or any manager who values inclusive workplaces, the headlines over the last few months may be disheartening, even gaining momentum since Inauguration Day.
—Barbara A. Perry, Newsweek, 27 Jan. 2025
This domino effect has been glaring as the Knicks have lost six of their last nine games, the latest coming in Friday’s disheartening 116-99 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
—Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 18 Jan. 2025
This should feel more than disheartening for anyone who cares about or still believes in the promise of the internet and technology to broaden our worldview, increase resilience, and expose us to the version of humanity that is always worth helping and saving.
—Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 16 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for dishearten 
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Contributed Content, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025
Walmart Faces Questions After Rolling Back DEI By Aman Kidwai
Workplaces Editor
14
For an HR or diversity leader, or any manager who values inclusive workplaces, the headlines over the last few months may be disheartening, even gaining momentum since Inauguration Day.
—Barbara A. Perry, Newsweek, 27 Jan. 2025
This domino effect has been glaring as the Knicks have lost six of their last nine games, the latest coming in Friday’s disheartening 116-99 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
—Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 18 Jan. 2025
This should feel more than disheartening for anyone who cares about or still believes in the promise of the internet and technology to broaden our worldview, increase resilience, and expose us to the version of humanity that is always worth helping and saving.
—Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 16 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for dishearten
Dictionary Entries Near dishearten
Cite this Entry
“Dishearten.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dishearten. Accessed 11 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
dishearten
verb
dis·heart·en
(ˈ)dis-ˈhärt-ᵊn
: to deprive of courage and hope : discourage
disheartening
adjective
-ˈhärt-niŋ
-ᵊn-iŋ
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