Dispirited: Definition, Synonyms, and Usage
dispirited – Definition and Part of Speech
The word dispirited is an adjective that describes a state of low spirits or diminished confidence. It often refers to someone who feels demoralized, lacking enthusiasm or motivation due to discouragement or adverse circumstances. The term comes from the idea of losing one’s “spirit,” which metaphorically conveys energy and morale.
Core Synonyms
Below is a table featuring key synonyms for “dispirited,” including brief definitions, example sentences, and stylistic notes:
| Synonym | Brief Definition/Nuance | Example Sentence | Style/Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dejected | Lacking in spirit or enthusiasm due to disappointment. | “The dejected player sat on the bench with a heavy heart.” | Formal/Academic |
| Downcast | Having a lowered head and drooping shoulders, often due to sadness. | “Her downcast eyes revealed her inner turmoil.” | Informal/Casual |
| Deflated | Suffering from a loss of confidence or enthusiasm. | “After the negative feedback, he felt deflated and unsure about his work.” | Business/Formal |
| Disheartened | Feeling discouraged or losing heart in an endeavor. | “The prolonged delays disheartened the team.” | Academic/Professional |
| Dejectedly | In a manner indicating sadness and loss of enthusiasm. | “He wandered dejectedly through the empty hallways.” | Literary/Creative Writing |
Usage Notes
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Dejected is often used in formal or academic contexts to describe someone who feels particularly low due to specific setbacks, such as failure or rejection.
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Downcast, with its visual imagery of lowered posture, suits informal and conversational settings where describing emotions through body language is effective.
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Deflated is frequently seen in business or sports contexts. It can describe both physical deflation (e.g., a balloon) and metaphorical loss of morale or confidence after setbacks.
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Disheartened captures the sense of losing hope or drive, often used in narratives about prolonged challenges or persistent failures that impact one’s motivation.
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Dejectedly serves well in creative writing to convey an action done with a noticeable lack of spirit, enriching descriptions with emotional context.
Common Pitfalls
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Dejected vs. Downcast: While both describe low spirits, “dejected” often implies a deeper sense of sadness than “downcast,” which can simply mean having a lowered physical posture or temporary sadness.
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Deflated vs. Depressed: These terms should not be confused. “Deflated” relates to loss of morale or enthusiasm in the moment, while “depressed” indicates a clinical state of mental health that requires professional intervention.
Final Recap
Dispirited and its synonyms—dejected, downcast, deflated, disheartened, and dejectedly—each offer nuanced ways to describe low spirits or lack of enthusiasm. Understanding the subtle differences can help you choose the most appropriate word for your context, whether it’s formal writing, business communications, casual speech, or creative narratives.
To master these synonyms, practice using them in various contexts:
- Write sentences that express different emotional states.
- Experiment by substituting synonyms in existing paragraphs to see which best fits.
Engaging with these words actively will enhance both your comprehension and expressive capabilities in English.