disheartening 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of dishearteningnext
as in discouraging

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

disheartening

2 of 2

verb

present participle of dishearten
as in frustrating
to lessen the courage or confidence of we were disheartened by the news that our grandmother was seriously ill

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for disheartening
  1. discouraging
  2. dismaying
  3. daunting
  4. troubling
  5. troublesome
  6. upsetting
  7. disturbing
  8. worrisome
Verb
  • Indoor humidity levels are low in winter, and a room humidifier can help plants avoid stress while discouraging pests like spider mites.
    — Miri Talabac, Baltimore Sun, 2 Jan. 2025
  • The administration's actions are seen as expanding federal control and discouraging state innovation in healthcare programs.
    — Steve Brozak, Forbes, 31 Dec. 2024
Definition of discouraging
Adjective
  • For the Congolese government, the ineffective Western responses follow a dismaying pattern.
    — Michela Wrong, Foreign Affairs, 3 Mar. 2025
  • Americans, and a dismaying number of politicians, keep crying for a crackdown on crimes that aren’t happening.
    — F.K. Plous, Chicago Tribune, 8 Jan. 2025
Definition of dismaying
Adjective
  • While filming a love scene is a daunting task for any actor, the fact that Raver was calling her own shots in Don’t You (Forget About Me) made the idea of Teddy’s intense scene with Cass much less intimidating.
    — Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025
  • Sissy Spacek swoops in for a daunting confrontation with her daughter.
    — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 4 Apr. 2025
Definition of daunting
Adjective
  • Remi Bader's weight loss journey also included a troubling experience with the weight loss drug Ozempic.
    — Athena Sobhan, People.com, 26 Mar. 2025
  • Democrats argue that the Signal scandal follows a troubling pattern of careless handling of national security information under President Trump.
    — Nik Popli, Time, 26 Mar. 2025
Definition of troubling
Adjective
  • The new apartment building at 3627-3633 N. Sheffield typifies this troublesome direction.
    — Edward Keegan, Chicago Tribune, 6 Apr. 2025
  • This classic tale helped make Taylor a star, giving her a showcase as a young woman who dreams of entering a troublesome horse in England's Grand National steeplechase.
    — EW Staff, EW.com, 3 Apr. 2025
Definition of troublesome
Adjective
  • There are no perfect victims, and inappropriate behavior, especially in the workplace, can be complicated and deeply upsetting.
    — Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 3 Apr. 2025
  • Many of them are undoubtedly games when the underdog pulled off the stunning upset – UMBC beating Virginia in 2018; George Mason’s unbelievable Final Four run in 2006; Valparaiso’s 1998 win over Ole Miss; Princeton upsetting UCLA in 1996, etc.
    — Alex Sherman, CNBC, 3 Apr. 2025
Definition of upsetting
Adjective
  • Other times, Claude’s mental activity seems super disturbing and maybe even dangerous.
    — Steven Levy, Wired News, 28 Mar. 2025
  • Just as disturbing and bizarre, at least one juror originally didn’t want to convict Zeigler at all and didn’t vote to do so until after that same judge ordered the bailiff to give her a Valium.
    — Scott Maxwell, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 Mar. 2025
Definition of disturbing
Adjective
  • What makes the hormone worrisome is when it's released too often or for extended periods of time.
    — Daryl Austin, USA TODAY, 25 Mar. 2025
  • Louisville head coach Pat Kelsey was called for a technical foul after screaming at an official, but that was the least worrisome incident.
    — Ryan Morik, Fox News, 20 Mar. 2025
Definition of worrisome
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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disheartened
disheartening
disheartenment
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Cite this Entry

“Disheartening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disheartening. Accessed 9 Apr. 2025.

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