dispiriting

USAGE SUMMARY

"dispiriting" is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is disheartening or discouraging. For example: "The dispiriting news cast a gloom over the entire room."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

So, in recent years, we've endured 60s, 70s and 80s revivals, punters encouraged to wear silly clothes, like silly music, and generally pretend that crap things were great, a dispiriting travesty of irony, meta-irony, disingenuousness and disingenuity.

The Guardian - Sport

The current numbers are dispiriting indeed for Cameron's party.

The Guardian - Opinion

Richard Crook Brighton The Question Time debate was thoroughly dispiriting.

The Guardian

There are exceptions – she has worked constructively with the Conservative MP Sarah Wollaston on parliamentary reform – but on the whole her experience of parliament has been dispiriting.

The Guardian

What does it take?" Despite such dispiriting encounters, Clegg insists he is "confident but not complacent" about retaining the seat he has held since 2005.

The Guardian

The most surprising element of Rangers' goal was that it did not have a noticeably dispiriting effect on its victims.

The Guardian - Sport

Dispiriting though it is to rip up the Department for Transport's economics homework and tell it to do it yet again, even the fifth attempt at the strategic case fell short.

The Guardian

"So it is dispiriting – if pretty unsurprising – to see how quickly, instead of building on those achievements, the new Conservative government is turning its back on that liberal stance.

The Guardian

But adverts like this are dispiriting.

The Guardian

Behind the cover of the Olympic celebrations, it will not have gone unnoticed in Beijing that China's ally at the United Nations in opposing "interference" in a sovereign country's affairs has just worryingly stepped over the line.The new low in Russia's relations with the West is one of a dispiriting series.

The Economist

In 2014 there is something dispiriting about voters being formed into ethnic blocks with such precision.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "dispiriting" to describe situations, news, or experiences that lower morale or create a sense of despondency, ensuring the context clearly reflects this effect.

Common error

Avoid using "dispiriting" when something is merely disappointing; reserve it for situations where the impact is significant enough to negatively affect morale or enthusiasm.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "dispiriting" is as an adjective. It modifies nouns to describe something that lowers morale or causes a loss of enthusiasm. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

15%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "dispiriting" functions as an adjective to describe something that lowers morale or enthusiasm. Ludwig AI confirms that it is a correct and usable word, frequently appearing in news and media contexts. While it conveys a negative sentiment, it remains relatively neutral in tone, making it versatile for various writing styles. The related phrases, such as "discouraging" or "demoralizing", offer nuanced alternatives depending on the specific impact you wish to emphasize. Using "dispiriting" appropriately involves reserving it for situations that significantly affect morale, as opposed to mere disappointment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

disheartening

Very close synonym, emphasizes the loss of spirit or enthusiasm.

demoralizing

Focuses on the reduction of courage or confidence.

discouraging

Focuses more on preventing enthusiasm or action rather than directly lowering morale.

depressing

Indicates a heavier emotional weight, potentially leading to sadness.

dejecting

Implies a stronger emotional impact, causing sadness or depression.

dismaying

Highlights the feeling of alarm and disappointment.

bleak

Describes a situation lacking hope or optimism.

unpromising

Suggests a lack of favorable prospects or potential.

unsettling

Implies a feeling of unease or anxiety.

frustrating

Emphasizes the feeling of being blocked or hindered.

FAQs

How can I use "dispiriting" in a sentence?

"Dispiriting" is used to describe something that causes a loss of enthusiasm or morale. For example, "The "dispiriting news" of the company's losses led to low morale among employees."

What are some alternatives to "dispiriting"?

You can use alternatives such as "disheartening", "discouraging", or "demoralizing" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is "dispiriting" a formal or informal word?

"Dispiriting" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though it is often found in news and more professional writing. However, it maintains a neutral tone.

What's the difference between "dispiriting" and "depressing"?

"Dispiriting" suggests a reduction in morale or enthusiasm, while "depressing" carries a heavier emotional weight, implying sadness or a lowering of mood. "Dispiriting" is more situational, whereas "depressing" is more emotionally centered.