dishearten

verb

dis·​heart·​en (ˌ)dis-ˈhär-tᵊn How to pronounce dishearten (audio)
disheartened; disheartening; disheartens

transitive verb

: to cause to lose hope, enthusiasm, or courage : to cause to lose spirit or morale
were disheartened by the news
dishearteningly
(ˌ)dis-ˈhärt-niŋ-lē How to pronounce dishearten (audio)
-ˈhär-tᵊn-iŋ-
adverb
disheartenment noun

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
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.
That’s why the decision by some members of the unit to strike earlier this month, and their tentative plan to picket at commencement, is disheartening, as was the misinformation that has been shared in speeches, strike signage and media interviews. Thomas Skinner, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 May 2025 One disheartening possibility is that AGI itself might tell people that a supernatural force underlies AGI. Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 21 May 2025 Professional wrestling fans around the world were disheartened when WWE released a large number of talent from its roster, including former world champion Braun Strowman, former NXT Women's Champion Shayna Baszler, and fan-favorite Dakota Kai. Jeremy Hanna, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 May 2025 This waiting can be tedious, exasperating, and disheartening at times—just ask any seven-year-old. Robert Daugherty, Forbes, 11 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for dishearten

Word History

First Known Use

1590, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of dishearten was in 1590

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Cite this Entry

“Dishearten.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dishearten. Accessed 1 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

dishearten

verb
dis·​heart·​en (ˈ)dis-ˈhärt-ᵊn How to pronounce dishearten (audio)
: to deprive of courage and hope : discourage
disheartening
-ˈhärt-niŋ
-ᵊn-iŋ
adjective
dishearteningly adverb
disheartenment noun

More from Merriam-Webster on dishearten

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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