as in to discourage
to lessen the courage or confidence of
we were disheartened by the news that our grandmother was seriously ill
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in despair
the state of being discouraged
our excusable disheartenment in the face of overwhelming odds against winning the game
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of dishearten
Kaitlyn Gomez, USA Today, 1 July 2025
The disheartening experience of coming so close yet falling short may signify the end of an era or represent the final step in a championship ascent.
—Mark Lasota, Forbes.com, 22 June 2025
Somehow, the Nats’ season has been both disheartening and predictable.
—Levi Weaver, New York Times, 17 June 2025
Not receiving what was anticipated is disheartening.
—Suzanne Blake, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for dishearten
Verb
The experience was disheartening, finding effective resources scarce—until Leslie had a realization.
—Kaitlyn Gomez, USA Today, 1 July 2025
The disheartening experience of coming so close yet falling short may signify the end of an era or represent the final step in a championship ascent.
—Mark Lasota, Forbes.com, 22 June 2025
Somehow, the Nats’ season has been both disheartening and predictable.
—Levi Weaver, New York Times, 17 June 2025
Not receiving what was anticipated is disheartening.
—Suzanne Blake, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for dishearten
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dishearten
Verb
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Covering the soil with a ½ inch of coarse sand or fine gravel can also discourage egg laying.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
30 July 2025
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In some cities, local law enforcement is discouraged from cooperating with federal immigration officials, while in others local authorities just don't actively involve themselves in immigration enforcement.—
Sharon Coolidge,
The Enquirer,
30 July 2025
Noun
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In an era of headlines that often fuel despair, the Calouste Gulbenkian Prize for Humanity shines a light on solutions.—
Monica Sanders,
Forbes.com,
30 July 2025
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The display screen on Jerry Dipoto’s iPhone can elicit in him despair or delight.—
Andy McCullough,
New York Times,
28 July 2025
Verb
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The men's families and supporters were frustrated with the pace of the hearing.—
Christina Hall,
Freep.com,
31 July 2025
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Not being able to offer a heart-lung transplant in Austin frustrates Fraser.—
Nicole Villalpando,
Austin American Statesman,
30 July 2025
Noun
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For a quick recap, this is the world a team of scientists recently suggested could host life — to the dismay of other scientists in the community, who felt the announcement failed to include necessary caution.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
31 July 2025
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The shop was nearly empty, to the dismay of the owner, Roxana Gaeta, who grew up nearby and bought the place a decade ago from the family that opened it.—
Hannah Goldfield,
New Yorker,
28 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dishearten.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dishearten. Accessed 7 Aug. 2025.
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