dispirit

[ dih-spir-it ]

verb (used with object)

1. to deprive of spirit, hope, enthusiasm, etc.; depress; discourage; dishearten.

dispirit

/ dɪˈspɪrɪt /

verb

1. tr to lower the spirit or enthusiasm of; make downhearted or depressed; discourage

Word History and Origins

Origin of dispirit¹

First recorded in 1635–45; di- ² + spirit

Example Sentences

Through its willingness to smash the rules, both written and unwritten, the Republican Party has managed to dispirit better than half the electorate.

From Seattle Times

That this foundational principle could be overlooked in the name of icons seemed to exhaust and dispirit her.

From New York Times

Part of the issue is that Texas leaves much of the administration of elections to local governments, creating dispirit systems across the state’s 254 counties.

From Washington Times

Mr. Levin, who has a Sunday evening Fox News show in addition to his daily radio show, said this week that Democrats and the mainstream media had created an “unreality” that was designed to “humiliate the president, to try and dispirit you, and to drag down his poll numbers and defeat him.”

From New York Times

“Trump’s declining electoral fortunes in California could dispirit Republican voters here, reducing GOP turnout in next year’s primary and general elections. This could spell trouble for Republican candidates running in competitive elections for Congress, Assembly and state Senate,” DiCamillo said.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• deject
• demoralize
• discourage
• dishearten
• sadden