Definitions

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • adjective Causing loss of hope or enthusiasm.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • adjective Causing to lose heart; making despondent or gloomy; scare; discourage.
  • verb Present participle of dishearten.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • adjective destructive of morale and self-reliance

Etymologies

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Examples

  • Equally disheartening is the fact that the Iranian authorities are repressing women in a far more dangerous and direct way than passing draconian "family protection" laws: dozens, if not hundreds of women's rights activists have been personally targeted for arrest or extralegal attacks.

    Shayan Ghajar: Iranian Women Poised for Major Setback Shayan Ghajar 2010

  • Equally disheartening is the fact that the Iranian authorities are repressing women in a far more dangerous and direct way than passing draconian "family protection" laws: dozens, if not hundreds of women's rights activists have been personally targeted for arrest or extralegal attacks.

    Shayan Ghajar: Iranian Women Poised for Major Setback Shayan Ghajar 2010

  • Equally disheartening is the fact that the Iranian authorities are repressing women in a far more dangerous and direct way than passing draconian "family protection" laws: dozens, if not hundreds of women's rights activists have been personally targeted for arrest or extralegal attacks.

    Shayan Ghajar: Iranian Women Poised for Major Setback Shayan Ghajar 2010

  • What I find disheartening is the 'mean spirited nature' of so many comments on this and other sites.

    Clinton: No cause for alarm 2008

  • What's really disheartening is that the Times feels the need to explain to their readers why their decision to cancel Ann Coulter isn't evidence of some grand liberal bias or conspiracy on their part.

    Archive 2007-03-01 2007

  • But what I did find disheartening is being reminded just how many people don't even try to think about or rethink their preconceptions.

    Fanboys Are Stupid, But You Are Not - Anil Dash 2007

  • The Golden Bears had lost to Arizona and Southern California in disheartening fashion before beating rival Stanford and then the Aggies

    USATODAY.com 2007

  • The Golden Bears had lost to Arizona and Southern California in disheartening fashion before beating rival Stanford and then the Aggies (9-4).

    USATODAY.com - College Football - Texas A&M vs. California 2006

  • Despite losing its previous two games to Arizona and USC in disheartening fashion, Cal is headed to the Holiday Bowl to play Texas A&M on Dec. 28.

    USATODAY.com - College Football - Stanford vs. California 2006

  • You know, when a general uses the word disheartening in a time of war, that is something to pay attention to.

    CNN Transcript Oct 20, 2006 2006

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