Definition

In a way that causes someone to lose hope or confidence.

Example

The team's performance dishearteningly declined as the season progressed.

Conversation

I found out that my favorite show got canceled.

Oh no, that’s so dishearteningly disappointing!

Yeah, I was really looking forward to the new season.

I get it; sometimes the best shows end way too soon.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

dishearteningly → It is formed from "dis-" (meaning apart or away) and "heart" (from Old English "heorte", meaning the organ that pumps blood, often associated with emotions) and "-ening" (a suffix indicating a process or action) and "-ly" (a suffix that turns an adjective into an adverb). The word describes the process of causing someone to feel a loss of spirit or enthusiasm, thus making them feel apart from their heart's desires.

Memory Tip

Think of 'dis-' meaning 'apart' and 'heart' representing emotions — when something is disheartening, it takes you away from your emotional strength, making you feel down.

Visually Confused Words