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Dishearten Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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dishearten

[dɪsˈhɑːt(ə)n ]

Definition

Context #1 | Verb

feeling

To cause someone to lose determination or confidence.

Synonyms

demoralize, discourage, dismay.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
dishearten

This word is used to describe a loss of hope or enthusiasm, often in a general or mild way.

  • The team's repeated losses began to dishearten the players
  • The lack of progress on the project disheartened the employees
discourage

This word is used when someone is made less confident or willing to do something, often through negative feedback or obstacles.

  • The teacher's harsh comments discouraged him from pursuing his passion for writing
  • The bad weather discouraged them from going on a hike
dismay

This word is often used to express a sudden or deep disappointment and concern, sometimes leading to a sense of shock or alarm.

  • The unexpected results of the election caused him great dismay
  • She looked at the broken vase with dismay
demoralize

This word implies a more profound and often deliberate action to make someone lose confidence or spirit. It is often used in competitive or challenging situations.

  • The constant criticism demoralized the young artist
  • The relentless pressure from their competitors demoralized the team

Examples of usage

  • The constant criticism began to dishearten him.
  • The lack of progress disheartened the team members.

Translations

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

Interesting Facts

Psychology

  • Feeling disheartened can be linked to depressive states, where individuals may struggle to find motivation and positive outlook.
  • Studies suggest that social support and positive environments can counter feelings of disheartenment, promoting resilience.

Literature

  • Characters in many novels undergo disheartenment as they face overwhelming challenges, illustrating emotional depth and growth.
  • Classic tales often involve the protagonist overcoming disheartenment, reflecting the journey from despair to hope.

Pop Culture

  • Songs often convey themes of disheartenment, expressing the struggle of facing disappointment in love or life.
  • Films frequently explore this theme, depicting characters who start with high hopes, only to face disheartening challenges that test their resolve.

Origin of 'dishearten'

Main points about word origin

  • The word originates from 'dis-' meaning 'to remove' and 'hearten,' which means to encourage, so together it implies the removal of encouragement.
  • It has been used in English since the late 17th century, showing a long-standing concept of losing morale.

The word 'dishearten' originated in the late 16th century, combining the prefix 'dis-' meaning 'apart, away' with 'hearten' meaning 'to make brave or cheerful'. Over time, its usage evolved to signify the act of causing someone to lose courage or enthusiasm. The term has maintained its essence of emotional impact throughout history, reflecting the delicate balance between encouragement and discouragement.

See also: brokenhearted, disheartened, disheartening, halfheartedly, heart, heartache, heartbeat, heartbreak, heartbreaker, heartbreaking, heartbreakingly, heartbroken, heartening, heartfelt, heartily, heartland, heartless, heartlessly, heartlessness, heartsease, heartthrob, heartwarming, hearty.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #36,323, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.