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
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 dishearten
Marc Ramirez, USA TODAY, 13 Mar. 2025
This waiting can be tedious, exasperating, and disheartening at times—just ask any seven-year-old.
—Robert Daugherty, Forbes, 11 Mar. 2025
All of this is disheartening, for sure.
—Tracy Brower, Forbes, 9 Mar. 2025
Jurinsky told The Denver Post she was completely disheartened by Niceta’s sentence, particularly because Niceta pleaded guilty to more felony charges in the cancer scheme case but received no prison time.
—Katie Langford, The Denver Post, 8 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dishearten
Verb
Researchers including Reich say recent viral headlines, such as a North Texas pastor publicly boasting on Instagram that his church school ranked lowest in Texas for measles vaccination rates, are disheartening and show the nation heading down a dangerous path.
—Marc Ramirez, USA TODAY, 13 Mar. 2025
This waiting can be tedious, exasperating, and disheartening at times—just ask any seven-year-old.
—Robert Daugherty, Forbes, 11 Mar. 2025
All of this is disheartening, for sure.
—Tracy Brower, Forbes, 9 Mar. 2025
Jurinsky told The Denver Post she was completely disheartened by Niceta’s sentence, particularly because Niceta pleaded guilty to more felony charges in the cancer scheme case but received no prison time.
—Katie Langford, The Denver Post, 8 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dishearten
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dishearten
Verb
-
Emotional illiteracy, disconnection from the body and organizational cultures that discourage vulnerability reinforce this divide.—
Nancy Zamierowski,
Forbes.com,
25 Apr. 2025
-
In subtropical South Florida, the days can get so hot that the rising mercury might actually discourage pollen production.—
Ashley Miznazi,
Miami Herald,
23 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Magnificent heroes of delicacy and seduction, Anouk Aimée and Jean-Louis Trintignant forever illuminate the film of our lives, like these two posters, whose colors express the intensity of a passionate love that triumphs over despair.—
Patrick Hipes,
Deadline,
21 Apr. 2025
-
The most heartbreaking thing about this highly heartbreaking scene, to me, is how Ramsey communicates Ellie’s despair at realizing there’s no time to fix things between them.—
Kimberly Roots,
TVLine,
20 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
What frustrates you most about navigating love in the digital age?—
Kyle Denis,
Billboard,
25 Apr. 2025
-
Piastri and his camp, led by steely former F1 racer Mark Webber, were frustrated with Alpine’s slow progress towards his F1 graduation.—
Alex Kalinauckas,
New York Times,
24 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Much to his dismay, though, the Elimination Challenge is to create a tasting menu based on pickles — a food Tristen apparently loathes.—
Caroline Framke,
Vulture,
18 Apr. 2025
-
To June's dismay, her best friend is also determined to stay back and fight.—
Matt Cabral,
EW.com,
15 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dishearten.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dishearten. Accessed 2 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share