Standard Lemma guide

dispirit

verb · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • rhymes with -ɪɹɪt

1

verb

Meaning 1

To lower the morale of; to make despondent; to dishearten.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: transitive

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: deject, get down, aggrieve, attrist, begloom, begrieve, besorrow, grieve, pain, bring down, come down on, contristate, darken, dash, depress, desolate, dispirit, engrieve, forset, grieven, moan, oppress, repent, rue, sadden, sadden up, tristitiate, ungladden, unhappy, upset

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

lower someone's spirits; make downhearted

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • These news depressed her
  • The bad state of her child's health demoralizes her

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: depress, deject, cast down, get down, dismay, demoralize, demoralise

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: discourage

Narrower terms: chill

History

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *dwóh1 Proto-Indo-European *d(w)is- Proto-Italic *dis- Latin dis- Old French des-bor. ▲ Latin dis-bor. Middle English dis- English dis- Proto-Indo-European *(s)peys-der.? Latin spīrō Proto-Indo-European *-tus Proto-Italic *-tus Latin -tus Latin spīritus Old French espiritbor. Middle English spirit English spirit English dispirit From dis- + spirit.

Across languages

Translations

8 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Bulgarian: обезкуражавам (obezkuražavam) — Lower the morale of
  • Bulgarian: обезсърчавам (obezsǎrčavam) — Lower the morale of
  • Czech: srazit — Lower the morale of
  • Dutch: ontmoedigen — Lower the morale of
  • Finnish: masentaa — Lower the morale of
  • Finnish: lannistaa — Lower the morale of
  • French: décourager — Lower the morale of
  • German: entmutigen — Lower the morale of