Disheartenment Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

😔

Add to dictionary

disheartenment

[dɪsˈhɑːrt(ə)nm(ə)nt ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

feeling

a feeling of discouragement or disappointment

Synonyms

despondency, disappointment, discouragement, dismay.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
disheartenment	Use 'disheartenment' when describing a general feeling of losing hope or confidence, often after a series of negative events. After failing the exam for the third time, a sense of disheartenment settled over her. The team's continuous losses led to disheartenment among the players.
discouragement	Use 'discouragement' when someone loses enthusiasm or confidence to continue with a task, often after encountering obstacles. Facing repeated failures, he felt a sense of discouragement that made him want to quit. Despite initial discouragement, she decided to keep trying until she succeeded.
disappointment	Use 'disappointment' to describe a feeling of sadness or dissatisfaction when things do not go as expected or someone fails to meet expectations. She felt a wave of disappointment when she didn't get the promotion she had worked so hard for. The children's faces showed their disappointment when the trip was canceled due to rain.
despondency	Use 'despondency' when referring to a deep state of hopelessness or gloom, usually lasting for a longer period and having a more severe emotional impact. He fell into despondency after losing his job and his relationship in the same week. Her despondency was evident as she struggled to find motivation in her daily tasks.
dismay	Use 'dismay' when describing a sudden or intense feeling of shock, worry, or fear, often caused by something unexpected and unpleasant. She watched in dismay as the storm destroyed her garden. His dismay was apparent when he learned about the sudden policy changes.

Examples of usage

The constant criticism from his boss led to a sense of disheartenment.
Despite her hard work, she could not shake off the disheartenment she felt.
The team's loss in the final game left them with a deep sense of disheartenment.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

result

the state of being disheartened; loss of enthusiasm or motivation

Synonyms

dejection, demoralization, despair, hopelessness.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
disheartenment	Disheartenment is used to describe a temporary feeling of disappointment or loss of motivation, often in response to a setback or failure. After failing the exam, she felt a sense of disheartenment, but her friends quickly cheered her up
demoralization	Demoralization describes the process or state of losing confidence, morale, or hope, often after prolonged hardship or discouragement. Constant criticism from her boss resulted in her complete demoralization
dejection	Dejection refers to a deeper, more sustained feeling of sadness or low spirits, often due to a significant disappointment or ongoing struggle. Months of job searching without success left him in a state of dejection
despair	Despair reflects a profound and intense feeling of hopelessness, often accompanied by the belief that a situation is beyond any positive resolution. After the loss of his loved one, he fell into deep despair
hopelessness	Hopelessness is a chronic feeling that there's no chance for a positive outcome or improvement, often linked to depression or long-term struggles. The endless war led to a sense of hopelessness among the civilians

Examples of usage

The constant failures led to a general disheartenment among the team members.
The disheartenment caused by the lack of progress affected the overall morale of the group.

Translations

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

Interesting Facts

Psychology

Being disheartened can lead to feelings of depression, anxiety, or a lack of motivation, reflecting its emotional weight.
Studies show that people often experience disheartenment after failures or setbacks, impacting their self-esteem.
Therapeutic approaches often focus on rebuilding hope and self-worth to counteract disheartenment.

Literature

Disheartenment is a common theme in literature, representing characters who face insurmountable odds and struggle with hope.
Many classic novels explore the journey from disheartenment to redemption, showcasing personal growth.
Poets often use imagery related to darkness or storms to symbolize feelings of disheartenment in their works.

Pop Culture

Songs about heartbreak commonly convey feelings of disheartenment, resonating with listeners' own experiences.
In movies, characters often experience disheartenment before an inspiring comeback, illustrating resilience.
Famous speeches and dialogues in films frequently touch on overcoming disheartenment, motivating the audience.

History

Historical figures often faced moments of disheartenment but became symbols of perseverance and hope.
Major socio-political movements were born out of collective disheartenment, often leading to change and reform.
During times of economic hardship, societies have shown both disheartenment and resilience, shaping cultural narratives.

Origin of 'disheartenment'

Main points about word origin

The word comes from the prefix 'dis-' meaning 'to reverse' and 'hearten' which means 'to give courage or hope.'
It has roots in Middle English, where 'dishearten' was used to mean 'to take away someone's spirit or courage.'
The concept of disheartenment is linked to various languages, often translating to losing courage or confidence.

The word 'disheartenment' is derived from the combination of 'dis-' meaning 'opposite of' or 'lack of' and 'hearten' meaning 'to give courage or confidence'. The term has been in use since the late 18th century and reflects the human experience of feeling discouraged or dispirited in the face of challenges or setbacks.