dishearten

[ dis-hahr-tn ]

verb (used with object)

1. to depress the hope, courage, or spirits of; discourage.

   Synonyms: dismay, dispirit, deject, daunt

dishearten

/ dɪsˈhɑːtən /

verb

1. tr to weaken or destroy the hope, courage, enthusiasm, etc, of

Derived Forms

• disˈheartenment, noun
• disˈhearteningly, adverb

Other Words From

• dis·heart·en·er noun
• dis·heart·en·ment noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of dishearten¹

First recorded in 1590–1600; dis- ¹ + hearten

Example Sentences

I began to wonder what we were going to find in this wasteland, but I didn’t want to say anything to dishearten Duncan.

From Seattle Times

Second, signing a deal with Israel—or adhering to the terms of a deal that an ally has signed with Israel—might dishearten Hamas’ most militant supporters, might suggest that something good could come from addressing Israel with anything but rockets and rifles.

From Slate

In “On Fire,” Naomi Klein’s purpose is not to dishearten but to awaken us to the growing global movement called the Green New Deal.

From Los Angeles Times

In “On Fire,” Naomi Klein’s purpose is not to dishearten but to awaken us to the growing global movement called the Green New Deal.

From Los Angeles Times

Each day, 22 people die in want of organs, which should dishearten all Americans.

From Washington Post

Related Words

• daunt
• deject
• demoralize
• deter
• discourage
• dismay
• dispirit
• humble
• humiliate