dispirited

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "dispirited" is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it to describe a feeling of being extremely discouraged or lacking enthusiasm or energy. Example sentence: After years of working hard and not achieving her career goals, she felt dispirited and didn't know what to do next.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In Proust's Remembrance of Things Past, the narrator depicts the "powerful joy" that a tea-soaked madeleine awakes in him when he is "dispirited after a dreary day, with the prospect of a depressing morrow".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I heard later that he had been dispirited by my visit.

The Guardian

Even as Colonial Secretary in 1966, he was so dispirited that he failed to master his brief and was quickly removed.

The Guardian

Its divided, dispirited managers also need decisive leadership.

The Economist

By then the intrepid teenage playwright will be nearly 20 and, if not too dispirited by his "mixed" review in the Scotsman, may return with something sensational.

The Economist

Moreover, the turnout among Republicans was lower than in 2008, itself a year in which the party was rather dispirited.

The Economist

No wonder dispirited Europhiles hark back to the good old days.In this section Ireland's sad and confusing secret The many tricky ways of widening Europe Jacques Delors, France's avant-garde European A Bulgarian way into the EU Closing in?

The Economist

Yet the province's well-wishers are dispirited these days.

The Economist

Mr Chen, who ruled on a confrontational platform of independence from China, looked tired and dispirited, but was as combative as ever.

The Economist

Tales of doctors dispirited by low pay and lack of medicines, or of hospital staff moonlighting as taxi-drivers are common coin.Yet that is not true of all.

The Economist

This problem, they argued with hilarious hypocrisy, "is allowing our opponents to portray us as dispirited and disunited".

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "dispirited", consider the context and choose a synonym if a more specific emotion is intended. For instance, use "dejected" if referring to a specific event, or "discouraged" if emphasizing a loss of confidence.

Common error

Avoid confusing "dispirited", which means lacking enthusiasm or hope, with "disinterested", which means impartial or lacking interest. Using them interchangeably can significantly alter the intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "dispirited" is as an adjective. It modifies nouns or pronouns to describe a state of reduced enthusiasm, hope, or energy. Ludwig AI confirms this through its analysis of usage patterns across various sources.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Encyclopedias

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The adjective "dispirited" effectively conveys a state of reduced enthusiasm, hope, or energy. Ludwig AI confirms its correct grammatical usage and prevalence across various sources. While synonyms like "discouraged" and "dejected" offer nuanced alternatives, understanding the specific context is key. Remember to avoid confusing "dispirited" with "disinterested". Its frequent use in News & Media, Encyclopedias, and Science underlines its versatility in describing emotional and situational states. With a high expert rating and a clear communicative purpose, "dispirited" remains a valuable descriptor in the English language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

disheartened

Similar to discouraged, but with a stronger emphasis on the loss of heart or motivation.

discouraged

Expresses a loss of confidence or enthusiasm, often due to obstacles or setbacks.

dejected

Implies a feeling of sadness and hopelessness, often due to a specific event or situation.

downcast

Suggests a lowering of spirits or mood, often visible in one's appearance.

low-spirited

A general term for feeling down or sad, often without a specific cause.

crestfallen

Indicates disappointment and sadness, especially after a setback or failure.

despondent

Conveys a state of low spirits and loss of hope, often accompanied by feelings of helplessness.

demoralized

Indicates a loss of morale or fighting spirit, often in a group or team context.

uninspired

Lacking enthusiasm or creativity, often due to a lack of stimulation or motivation.

blue

Informal way of describing someone who is feeling sad.

FAQs

How can I use "dispirited" in a sentence?

You can use "dispirited" to describe someone who has lost enthusiasm or hope. For example, "After the team's loss, the players looked "dispirited"."

What are some alternatives to saying someone is "dispirited"?

Alternatives include "discouraged", "dejected", or "downcast", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "dispirited" the same as "depressed"?

While both terms relate to low spirits, "depressed" indicates a more severe and prolonged state of sadness, often requiring professional help, whereas "dispirited" suggests a temporary loss of enthusiasm or hope.

Can "dispirited" be used to describe objects or situations?

Yes, "dispirited" can describe objects or situations that evoke a sense of sadness or lack of energy. For example, "The "dispirited" atmosphere of the abandoned town was palpable."