Disheartenment: meaning, definitions and examples

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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?

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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?

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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.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • 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.

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.

Translations

Translations of the word "disheartenment" in other languages:

🇵🇹 desânimo

🇮🇳 निराशा

🇩🇪 Entmutigung

🇮🇩 kekecewaan

🇺🇦 зневіра

🇵🇱 zniechęcenie

🇯🇵 落胆

🇫🇷 découragement

🇪🇸 desaliento

🇹🇷 cesaretsizlik

🇰🇷 실망

🇸🇦 إحباط

🇨🇿 malomyslnost

🇸🇰 zmalomyseľnosť

🇨🇳 沮丧

🇸🇮 potrtost

🇮🇸 vonbrigði

🇰🇿 түңілу

🇬🇪 იმედგადაწურვა

🇦🇿 ümidsizlik

🇲🇽 desaliento