What does dispiritment mean?
Dispiriment is a formal noun denoting the state of being dispirited — that is, deprived of one's usual energy, confidence, or cheerfulness. It describes a sustained mood of dejection rather than a fleeting sadness, often arising from repeated setbacks, disappointment, or prolonged hardship. A community facing economic decline might be said to show a general dispiriment, just as an individual worn down by failure might sink into quiet dispiriment. The word is built on 'spirit' (from Latin spiritus, 'breath'), prefixed by the negative 'dis-' and suffixed with '-ment', literally meaning 'a loss of spirit.' Though fully standard in English dictionaries, it is notably rarer than the near-synonym 'dispiritedness' and is found mostly in literary or elevated prose. Writers reach for it when they want a slightly unusual, weighty term for collective or personal gloom.
nounThe state or condition of having lost spirit, hope, or cheerfulness; dejection of spirits.
- A state of low spirits, dejection, or loss of hope or enthusiasm.
"The team's dispiritment was evident after yet another narrow defeat."
"After months of rejected proposals, a quiet dispiritment settled over the research group."
"Her letters from the front line betray a deepening dispiritment despite her brave words."
Almost always used as an uncountable mass noun; a plural form is theoretically possible but virtually unattested.
"The diary records the various dispiriments of a long campaign."
While everyone says they're feeling 'dispirited,' almost nobody uses its noun form 'dispiriment' — wait, that's exactly why this word turns heads: it exists, it's legitimate, and it's vanishingly rare.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of dispiritment
Dispiriment is formed within English by adding the noun-forming suffix '-ment' to the verb 'dispirit,' which arose in the late sixteenth century. The base word 'spirit' derives from Latin spiritus, meaning 'breath' or 'breath of life,' so to dispirit someone originally evoked draining away their vital breath or courage. English shares this Latin root with cognates such as 'inspire,' 'respire,' and 'consolidate' — more precisely, with the family of words built on spiritus like 'inspiration' and 'spirited'.
How dispiritment is actually used
'Dispiritment' is a formal, literary word and considerably less common than its synonym 'dispiritedness.' It is typically used to describe a prevailing mood or atmosphere rather than a momentary emotion.
Easily confused with dispiritment
Both mean dejection of spirits, but 'dispiritedness' is the far more common noun; 'dispiritment' is a rarer variant formed directly from the verb 'dispirit' plus '-ment'.