disheartening
Kills your hope
Disheartening describes something that causes a loss of hope, confidence, or enthusiasm.
A disheartening defeat makes you question whether to keep trying.
The news from the doctor was disheartening.
The word implies discouragement without complete despair—setback rather than devastation.
Causing loss of enthusiasm
- demoralizingDestroying confidence or hope
- deflatingReleasing contained gas
- crushingOverwhelming in intensity
- discouragingCausing loss of confidence
dejecting · saddening · depressing · dampening · disenchanting · crestfallen · downcast · dismayed
Overwhelming in intensity
- devastatingCausing severe damage
- humiliatingCausing painful embarrassment
- demoralizingDestroying confidence or hope
- bitterSharp, unpleasant taste
painful · stinging · bruising · deflating · dispiriting · sobering · chastening · humbling
Failing to satisfy expectations
- frustratingCausing irritation, blocking progress
- discouragingCausing loss of confidence
- derailingGoing off course
- underminingWeakening by covert means
hindering · obstructing · impeding · stalling · regressive · backward · stumbling · faltering
Beyond possibility of success
- futileIncapable of producing results
- pointlessLacking any purpose
- uselessWithout practical value
- vainExcessively proud or futile
fruitless · unavailing · ineffectual · unproductive · unrewarding · thankless · hollow · empty
Dreary and without cheer
- grimHarsh and foreboding
- gloomyDark and dispiriting
- pessimisticExpecting negative outcomes
- darkAbsence of light
dim · somber · dreary · dismal · foreboding · ominous · unpromising · unfavorable
Discouraging through difficulty
- overwhelmingIntensely excessive in force
- insurmountableImpossible to overcome
- formidableInspiring fear or respect
- arduousDemanding strenuous effort
grueling · exhausting · taxing · trying · uphill · tough · challenging · demanding
dispiriting
Causing loss of enthusiasm
- demoralizingDestroying confidence or hope
- deflatingReleasing contained gas
- crushingOverwhelming in intensity
discouraging · dejecting · saddening · depressing · dampening · disenchanting · crestfallen · downcast · dismayed · disappointed
crushing
Overwhelming in intensity
- devastatingCausing severe damage
- humiliatingCausing painful embarrassment
- demoralizingDestroying confidence or hope
bitter · painful · stinging · bruising · deflating · dispiriting · sobering · chastening · humbling · embarrassing
disappointing
Failing to satisfy expectations
- frustratingCausing irritation, blocking progress
- discouragingCausing loss of confidence
- derailingGoing off course
undermining · hindering · obstructing · impeding · stalling · regressive · backward · stumbling · faltering · failing
hopeless
Beyond possibility of success
vain · fruitless · unavailing · ineffectual · unproductive · unrewarding · thankless · hollow · empty · meaningless
bleak
Dreary and without cheer
- grimHarsh and foreboding
- gloomyDark and dispiriting
- pessimisticExpecting negative outcomes
dark · dim · somber · dreary · dismal · foreboding · ominous · unpromising · unfavorable · negative
daunting
Discouraging through difficulty
- overwhelmingIntensely excessive in force
- insurmountableImpossible to overcome
- formidableInspiring fear or respect
arduous · grueling · exhausting · taxing · trying · uphill · tough · challenging · demanding · punishing
- dispiritingdemoralizing, discouraging, dispiriting, deflating, demotivating
- sombergloomy, bleak, dreary, dismal, melancholy
- discouragementdiscouragement, dejection, defeatism, disappointment, letdown
- exhaustingdraining, taxing, tiring, exhausting, fatiguing
dishearteningheartening
Inspiring confidence or cheer
encouraging · cheering · uplifting · inspiring · hearten
dishearteningheartening
Inspiring confidence or cheer
encouraging · uplifting · emboldening · embolden · motivating