🔊 Pronunciation: /dɪsˈhɑːrtən/
(dis-HAR-tuhn)
🗣️ Part of Speech: Verb
Definition:
Dishearten means to cause someone to lose confidence, hope, or enthusiasm.
It describes the act of making a person feel discouraged or less motivated.
Examples:
- "The repeated setbacks began to dishearten the team."
- "Harsh criticism can easily dishearten young artists."
- "She refused to let the challenges dishearten her."
(Shows how obstacles can reduce motivation.)
(Highlights discouragement caused by negative feedback.)
(Indicates resisting discouragement despite difficulties.)
🧠 Bonus Tip:
The word dishearten comes from the prefix “dis-” meaning the opposite of, and “hearten”, meaning to encourage.
So to dishearten someone is literally to take away their heart or courage.
- Use it when describing situations where someone’s confidence or hope is diminished.
💡 Think of it like:
A deflating balloon, the energy or spirit slowly losing lift.
Use “dishearten” when something causes discouragement, drains enthusiasm, or weakens confidence.