despondency

noun

de·​spon·​den·​cy di-ˈspän-dən-sē How to pronounce despondency (audio)
Synonyms of despondencynext
: the state of being despondent or extremely low in spirits : dejection, hopelessness
sank into despondency while he was unemployed

Examples of despondency in a Sentence

in despondency because he couldn't seem to settle into a lasting relationship in their despondency they seemingly forgot that losing teams can become winning teams in a single season
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
There are delicate parallels in O’Halloran’s screenplay showing the different ways in which the Evans men deal with their despondencies. David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 13 Feb. 2026 What better way and what better place to start anew, and to park the despondency and chaos of the past couple of months? Matt Woosnam, New York Times, 9 Feb. 2026 Its title perfectly captures her ability to chronicle in song frustration and hope, despondency and transcendence, with soulful grace and grit. George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Jan. 2026 Much of the Shamblins’ lawsuit — echoing past claims of wrongdoing by families of users who were allegedly mistreated or supported in their bad acts by ChatGPT and other AI — traces his descent into despondency. Adam Carlson, PEOPLE, 11 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for despondency

Word History

Etymology

see despond entry 1

First Known Use

1653, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of despondency was in 1653

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Despondency.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/despondency. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.

Kids Definition

despondency

noun
de·​spond·​en·​cy
di-ˈspän-dən-sē
: the state of being despondent : dejection, discouragement

More from Merriam-Webster on despondency

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster