DISHEARTENMENTS Synonyms: 82 Similar and Opposite Words

dishearten 1 of 2

verb

(ˌ)dis-ˈhär-tᵊn

Definition of dishearten

as in to discourage

to lessen the courage or confidence of we were disheartened by the news that our grandmother was seriously ill

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

disheartenment

2 of 2

noun

as in despair

the state of being discouraged our excusable disheartenment in the face of overwhelming odds against winning the game

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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

Verb

For fans who just started to watch the NBA again, and there are many, that's a disheartening development. — Bobby Burack Outkick, FOXNews.com, 4 June 2026 And Saturday’s walkoff loss to the Rangers was especially disheartening. — Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 31 May 2026 Were the older folks of your time disheartened by your generation’s lack of interest with their movies? — Raj Tawney, IndieWire, 12 May 2026 Kantor said the data is disheartening. — Rebecca Noel, Charlotte Observer, 28 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for dishearten

Recent Examples of Synonyms for dishearten

Verb

Many gardeners buy praying mantis egg cases (oothecae) from garden nurseries, but this practice is discouraged for two reasons.

— Rita Perwich, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 July 2026
Applying a 2- to 4-inch layer of mulch, such as straw or leaf mulch, will discourage weeds in garden beds, says Langelo.

— Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 4 July 2026

Definition of discourage

Verb

Belgium looked limited and frustrated, with Leandro Trossard and Youri Tielemans heading into the second-half hydration break in the middle of an angry argument.

— Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 5 July 2026
Its young people are increasingly educated and ambitious but many are frustrated over fierce competition for limited jobs.

— Ayushi Shah, CNN Money, 4 July 2026

Definition of frustrate

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disharmony

dishearten

disheartened

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“Dishearten.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dishearten. Accessed 10 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of dishearten

verb

noun

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