Definition

1. Noun:
   • The state of being disheartened; a feeling of discouragement, loss of hope, or despair, especially when faced with obstacles. It describes an emotional state where one's spirit, courage, or enthusiasm has been diminished.
   • An act or instance of causing someone to lose heart or hope. It can refer to the action of discouraging someone.

Examples of Usage

• Noun (Feeling):

  • The team's disheartenment was palpable after their third consecutive loss.
  • She tried to hide her disheartenment when her application was rejected.
  • A sense of disheartenment settled over the community following the announcement.

• Noun (Act):

  • The constant criticism was a source of great disheartenment for the young artist.
  • His harsh words were an act of pure disheartenment.

Advanced Usage

• "To be filled with disheartenment": to be overwhelmed by feelings of discouragement.
  • He was filled with disheartenment after the project failed.
• "A cause of disheartenment": something that leads to a loss of hope.
  • The lack of progress was a major cause of disheartenment for the researchers.

Variants and Related Words

• Dishearten (verb): To cause someone to lose determination or confidence.
  • The bad news disheartened the volunteers.
• Disheartening (adjective): Causing a loss of hope or enthusiasm.
  • The disheartening results forced them to reconsider their strategy.
• Disheartened (adjective): Having lost determination or confidence; discouraged.
  • She felt disheartened but was determined to try again.

Synonyms

• Discouragement: The act of discouraging or the state of being discouraged.
• Dispiritedness: A state of low spirits or lack of energy.
• Despondency: A state of low spirits caused by loss of hope or courage.
• Dejection: Sadness or depression of spirits.

Antonyms

• Encouragement: The action of giving someone support, confidence, or hope.
• Heartening: Making someone feel more cheerful or optimistic.
• Inspiration: The process of being mentally stimulated to do or feel something, especially something creative.

Noun

1. a communication that leaves you disheartened or daunted
2. the feeling of despair in the face of obstacles