Dispiriting

/dɪˈspɪrɪtɪŋ/ adjective

Definition

Causing someone to lose hope, confidence, or enthusiasm.

Etymology

Present participle of dispirit used as an adjective. The -ing form became adjectival in Middle English and is now a standard way to describe things that cause an action or feeling.

Kelly Says

The -ing ending can function as a gerund (noun), present participle (verb form), or adjective depending on context—it's one of the most flexible suffixes in English and creates some of our most expressive descriptors.

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