Here's a breakdown of the word's components:
* Dis-: A prefix meaning "the opposite of" or "not"
* Heart: Refers to the center of emotions and courage.
* -ened: A suffix indicating a state of being.
Therefore, disheartened literally means "having one's heart removed or taken away", implying a loss of spirit or enthusiasm.
Here are some synonyms for disheartened:
* Discouraged
* Demoralized
* Depressed
* Despondent
* Hopeless
* Dejected
* Downcast
Examples of usage:
* "After failing the exam, she was disheartened and felt like giving up."
* "The team was disheartened by their recent losses."
* "He was disheartened by the lack of progress on the project."
Essentially, "disheartened" describes a state of emotional distress where one feels discouraged, lacking motivation, and possibly even pessimistic about the future.