disheartener
Morale-sapping force
A disheartener is something or someone that causes discouragement or loss of hope.
The word is rare, typically appearing when a writer wants to name the source of demoralization rather than just describe the feeling: The endless rejections were a disheartener, but she kept submitting.
Lack of success
- defeatVictory over another
- rejectionDenial of acceptance
- obstacleSomething blocking the way
- hindranceBarrier to progress
letdown · disappointment · roadblock · stumbling block · barrier · drawback · rebuff · blow
Loss of confidence
- dissuasionConvincing someone not to
- deterrencePrevention via threatened consequences
- inhibitorAgent that slows reactions
- dampenerThing that reduces force
killjoy · wet blanket · spoilsport · naysayer · pessimist · critic · skeptic · doubter
State without hope
- despondencyProfound loss of hope
- dejectionState of lowness
- dismayDistressed loss of courage
- gloomPervasive dimness or dejection
melancholy · demoralization · downheartedness · discouragement · sorrow · misery · bleakness · woe
failure
Lack of success
hindrance · letdown · disappointment · roadblock · stumbling block · barrier · drawback · rebuff · blow · fiasco
discouragement
Loss of confidence
- dissuasionConvincing someone not to
- deterrencePrevention via threatened consequences
- inhibitorAgent that slows reactions
dampener · killjoy · wet blanket · spoilsport · naysayer · pessimist · critic · skeptic · doubter · cynic
hopelessness
State without hope
- despondencyProfound loss of hope
- dejectionState of lowness
- dismayDistressed loss of courage
gloom · melancholy · demoralization · downheartedness · discouragement · sorrow · misery · bleakness · woe · anguish
disheartenerencourager
One who heartens others
motivator · inspirer · heartener · uplifter · cheerleader
disheartened, dishearten, disheartening, disheartens, dishearteningly