Dispiriting: Definition, Usage & Examples

Meaning 1：disheartening (dispiriting)

dispiriting 🔊

/dɪˈspɪrɪtɪŋ/

adj.

Makes you feel sad and lose your excitement or hope, like when something really disappointing happens.

Dispiriting scene: person slumped over desk with crumpled papers, showing sadness and loss of hope.

disheartening 🔊

➕

/dɪsˈhɑːrtənɪŋ/

adj.

Describes something that causes sadness and a loss of excitement or hope, often due to disappointment.

📁 Category：Physical & Mental Health 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

Formed from prefix 'dis-' (removing), root 'spirit' (energy), and suffix '-ing' (adjective).

💡 Mnemonic

Dis-spirit-ing: imagine a balloon losing its air (spirit), leaving it deflated and sad.

📖 Example

Finding out I failed the IELTS exam again was truly dispiriting. 🔊 Learning that I failed the IELTS exam once more was deeply disheartening.

🔗 Collocations

find something dispiriting – to perceive something as causing discouragement

a dispiriting outcome – a result that leads to loss of hope

dispiriting atmosphere – an environment that drains motivation

🔄 Synonyms

disheartening (adj.) – causing loss of hope or enthusiasm

discouraging (adj.) – making one feel less confident or enthusiastic

demoralizing (adj.) – weakening morale or confidence

🚫 Antonyms

encouraging (adj.) – giving hope or confidence

uplifting (adj.) – making one feel happier or more hopeful

inspiring (adj.) – filling with the urge to do something positive

🌱 Derivatives

dispirited (adj.) – having lost hope or enthusiasm

dispiritedly (adv.) – in a manner showing loss of hope

dispirit (v.) – to cause to lose hope or enthusiasm

📖 Cultural Story

Originating in the 17th century from 'dis-' (away) and 'spirit'. Commonly used in modern contexts like sports or education to describe demotivating setbacks, such as repeated failures.