Deject Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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deject

[dɪˈdʒɛkt ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Verb}

feeling down

To deject means to make someone feel sad or disheartened. It is the act of causing someone to lose enthusiasm or confidence.

Synonyms

demoralize, discourage, dishearten.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
deject	Use this word when you want to express a sense of sadness and disappointment, often in response to a specific event or situation. The sudden failure of his project seemed to deject him deeply. She felt dejected after receiving the rejection letter.
dishearten	Choose this word to describe feelings of lost hope or enthusiasm, often due to ongoing difficulties or setbacks. The continuous rain disheartened the hikers. Low sales figures began to dishearten the small business owner.
discourage	Use this word when indicating actions or remarks that make someone less motivated or confident about doing something. Her parents' disapproval discouraged her from pursuing her passion for art. Negative feedback from his peers discouraged him from presenting his ideas.
demoralize	This term is appropriate for situations where someone's confidence or spirit is being broken down, often by continuous failures or challenges. The team's numerous defeats began to demoralize the players. Constant criticism from her boss demoralized her.

Examples of usage

He was dejected when he found out he didn't get the job.
The negative feedback dejected her and she considered giving up.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

state of mind

Deject can also be used as a noun to describe a feeling of sadness or low spirits.

Synonyms

despondency, melancholy, sadness.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
deject	This word is often used to describe the act of causing someone to feel down or disheartened. It implies an action that results in a person feeling low. The bad news dejects him every time he hears it
sadness	Sadness is a general term that refers to the emotional state of feeling sorrowful or unhappy. It is the most broadly used term for expressing feelings of sorrow. He felt a deep sadness after hearing about the passing of his friend
despondency	This term is used to describe a state of low spirits caused by loss of hope or courage. It is deeper than simple sadness and indicates a more severe emotional state. She fell into despondency after losing her job and finding no new opportunities
melancholy	This word is used to describe a deep, pensive, and long-lasting sadness. It often has a poetic or nostalgic quality to it. The dim light and soft music brought a sense of melancholy to the room

Examples of usage

She couldn't hide her deject after the loss of her pet.
His deject was evident in his quiet demeanor.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Psychology

Feeling dejected can be linked to a sense of loss, failure, or disappointment, affecting motivation.
Research indicates a significant impact on physical health, as prolonged feelings can lead to stress-related illnesses.
Cognitive behavioral therapy often helps individuals reframe dejected thoughts into more positive patterns.

Literature

Classic literature often portrays characters in a dejected state to illustrate their internal struggles and journey.
Shakespeare’s plays frequently depict characters who experience dejection as a consequence of ambition or love.
Contemporary novels frequently explore themes of rejection and dejection, capturing the nuances of human emotion.

Art

Depictions of dejection in art can evoke empathy and understanding; think of famous paintings showing figures in despair.
In film, cinematography often uses darker tones and slower pacing to illustrate a character’s dejected mental state.
Music also expresses dejection, with many songs conveying sorrow through lyrics and melancholic melodies.

Pop Culture

In movies, characters experiencing rejection often have turning points where their dejection leads to growth.
Popular songs often explore themes of dejection and heartbreak, resonating with listeners who relate to those feelings.
Social media culture shows how people can feel dejected by comparisons with others, impacting mental health.

Origin of 'deject'

Main points about word origin

The word comes from the Latin 'deiectus', meaning 'thrown down', which reflects a state of feeling down or low.
In medieval Latin, it combined 'de-' (down) with 'iicere' (to throw), signaling a fall in mood.
The term has been used in English since the late 14th century, evolving to describe emotional states.

The word 'deject' originated from the Latin word 'deicere' which means 'to throw down'. Over time, it evolved to mean 'to dishearten or make sad'. The usage of 'deject' has been recorded in English literature since the 15th century, where it was used to describe the act of causing someone to feel sad or disheartened.

See also: dejected, dejectedly, dejection.