dishearteners
Those who deflate
Dishearteners are people or things that cause someone to lose hope, enthusiasm, or confidence.
The word is the agent noun form of dishearten, so a disheartener is whatever does the disheartening—a discouraging boss, a string of failures, or persistent bad news.
The endless rejections were the real dishearteners in her job search.
The term is uncommon, as speakers more often reach for discouraging factors or things that dishearten.
Those who dishearten others
- demoralizersThose who undermine morale
- dampenersThings that lessen force
- disappointmentsUnmet expectations' aftermath
- pessimistsThose assuming negative outcomes
naysayers · wet-blankets · killjoys · buzzkills · downers · negativity · cynics · defeatists
Those who evaluate work
- detractorsPeople who criticize
- bulliesThose who intimidate others
- doubtersPeople who question claims
- skepticsThose who doubt claims
belittlers · discouragers · mockers · scoffers · saboteurs · disparagers · haters · manipulators
Reversals of progress
- failuresUnsuccessful attempts or outcomes
- rejectionsFormal refusals given
- lossesThings subtracted from standing
- defeatsOvercomes or bests
obstacles · criticisms · letdowns · rebuffs · roadblocks · complications · reversals · snubs
discouragers
Those who dishearten others
- demoralizersThose who undermine morale
- dampenersThings that lessen force
- disappointmentsUnmet expectations' aftermath
pessimists · naysayers · wet-blankets · killjoys · buzzkills · downers · negativity · cynics · defeatists
critics
Those who evaluate work
- detractorsPeople who criticize
- bulliesThose who intimidate others
- doubtersPeople who question claims
skeptics · belittlers · discouragers · mockers · scoffers · saboteurs · disparagers · haters · manipulators · gaslighters
setbacks
Reversals of progress
- failuresUnsuccessful attempts or outcomes
- rejectionsFormal refusals given
- lossesThings subtracted from standing
defeats · obstacles · criticisms · letdowns · rebuffs · roadblocks · complications · reversals · snubs · frustrations
disheartenersencouragers
Those who give support
inspirers · uplifters · motivators · morale boosters · cheerleaders
disheartenerssupporters
People who back something
cheerleaders · champions · advocates · boosters · backers
disheartenersmotivators
Forces prompting action
inspirations · catalysts · energizers · galvanizers · spurs