DOWNHEARTED Synonyms: 168 Similar and Opposite Words

downhearted

adjective

ˈdau̇n-ˈhär-təd

Definition of downhearted

as in depressed

feeling unhappiness downhearted because his best friend was taking a job out of state

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of downhearted In the grand scheme of things, neither should be too downhearted. — Greg O'Keeffe, New York Times, 26 Jan. 2026 McRae has also made progress carving out an artistic identity—trading downhearted power ballads for sleek, club‑ready cuts that blend R&B, hip‑hop, and dance‑pop. — Rachel Brodsky, Time, 30 Sep. 2025 Created by Sirius Cybernetics Corporation with GPP (Genuine People Personalities), Marvin is programmed to be unerringly downhearted. — Jill Lepore, The New Yorker, 30 Sep. 2024 Near the end of this downhearted saga, Esmeralda gives a speech, explanatory despite its poetic language, about the mistreatment of her people in this country — her fury even more palpable in her delivery than in the words themselves. — Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 12 Apr. 2024

Recent Examples of Synonyms for downhearted

Adjective

In other words, support for white nationalism was higher among people living in more distressed or economically depressed places.

— James Bisbee, The Conversation, 2 Oct. 2026
My idea of Sweden was based entirely on Scandi-noir dramas, all bleak landscapes, depressed people and woolly jumpers.

— Natasha Langan, TheWeek, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of depressed

Adjective

Its success made Cohn a rich, if unhappy, man, at least for a long while.

— Lily Moayeri, SPIN, 6 Oct. 2026
What appeared to be a fairly normal election for a president halfway through his term — a probable setback, as unhappy voters register their discontent — has the potential, Cook said, to turn into a disaster for Republicans.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 4 Oct. 2026

Definition of unhappy

Adjective

Spark, a writer of the first rank, brought her beautifully to life in this moving, rather sad novel of Edinburgh in the 1930s.

— The Week US, TheWeek, 5 Oct. 2026
And yet the allegation against her now enters Orange County’s long, sad spectrum of anti-Mexican political history.

— Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 4 Oct. 2026

Definition of sad

Adjective

Placer County District Attorney Morgan Gire honored Macy at a county Board of Supervisors meeting Wednesday, telling community leaders that her death had left his office and the wider community heartbroken.

— Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 23 Sep. 2026
Daria’s heartbroken family declined to comment on her death Saturday.

— Rebecca White, New York Daily News, 19 Sep. 2026

Definition of heartbroken

Adjective

Viard describes the melancholy of her post-Chanel life in detail, describing herself as a ghost, haunted by the presence of Lagerfeld’s memory.

— Olivier Bouchara, Vanity Fair, 30 Sep. 2026
The fading studio carries a note of melancholy about the state of the film industry as AI advances.

— Jenny S. Li, Variety, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of melancholy

Adjective

That’s all before setting aside the time to manage a fantasy football roster, oversee a gambling hobby, or make sure you’re fully briefed for the next all-hands—sorry, hangout—at the bar.

— Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 6 Oct. 2026
Skin care picks to pamper your complexion Swapping out your skin care for thicker, richer formulas in fall and winter is a prime example (sorry, had to do it) of working smarter, not harder.

— Alanna Martine Kilkeary, Glamour, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of sorry

Adjective

Legend has it Michael Jackson asked his security to keep fans away from him at a local dive bar, only to become upset when the locals were all too good at treating him like a normal person.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
Ultimately, after he was found out to be a con artist, according to his critics, Minnesota media appears to be more so upset that Jamal was not acting in the Somali community’s best interests.

— Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of upset

Browse Nearby Words

downgrading

downhearted

downheartedly

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“Downhearted.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/downhearted. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of downhearted

adjective

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