# disheartened

/dɪsˈhɑɹtənd/ (US) · /dɪshˈɑːtənd/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/disheartened
Updated: 2026-05-28

## Definition

feeling like you have lost your hope or confidence. You feel this way when something difficult makes you want to stop trying.

For teachers: having lost determination, confidence, or spirit. Often used predicatively after linking verbs such as 'feel', 'become', or 'seem'.

## Examples

- She felt disheartened after failing her driving test again.
- The team was disheartened by the early goal, but they continued to play hard until the final whistle.
- Despite several rejections from major publishers, the author refused to be disheartened, viewing each critique as a necessary step toward refining his manuscript.

## Usage notes

- Often follows a linking verb or appears as a participial adjective before a noun.

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