disheartens

Drains the hope

Disheartens means causes to lose hope, enthusiasm, or confidence.

Bad news disheartens; repeated failure disheartens.

The team's losing streak disheartened even their most loyal fans.

Don't let one rejection dishearten you.

The effect is deflating rather than crushing—spirits sink, but despair hasn't set in.

emotional

discourages

Lessens motivation to act

demoralizesDestroys confidence or hope
deflatesReleases air from
dispiritsCauses loss of hope

saddens · dismays · depresses · crushes · disappoints · dampens · crestfallen · dejected · downcast · hopelessness

motivational

undermines

Weakens by stealth

weakensReduces strength or power
sapsErodes vitality slowly
drainsPipes removing wastewater

diminishes · erodes · defeats · daunts · intimidates · unnerves · derails · stalls · paralyzes · resignation

relational

betrays

Acts against one's allies

abandonsCeases to support
lets downFails to support
failsDoes not succeed

rejects · neglects · wounds · hurts · alienates · isolates · disappoints · forsakes · devastates · coldness

Categories

let downdisappoints, fails, betrays, abandons, deflates

Opposites

emotional effect on morale/spirit

disheartensencourages

Promotes confidence in others

inspires · uplifts · cheers · motivates · buoys

Family

disheartened, dishearten, disheartening, disheartener

Familiarity: Top 200,000
Profile: Used worldwide · Timeless · Abstract · Negative · Everyday, not technical · Rated G