despondency

noun

de·​spon·​den·​cy di-ˈspän-dən-sē How to pronounce despondency (audio)
: 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
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Ultimately the day ended for the Bears with a new wave of anger, embarrassment and despondency. Dan Wiederer, Chicago Tribune, 29 Oct. 2024 He’s perched in front of jagged cliffs while hiking outside of Arles, France, a blue baseball cap pulled over his hair, cheeks extra-ruddy in the sun, his default affability tempered by a sense of despondency. Kate Knibbs, WIRED, 27 Sep. 2024 Juniper Hills resident Diane Swick, 60, transitioned from joy to despondency quickly in early August. Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2024 What’s most interesting about them is how their initial economic despondency justifies their ensuing amorality, and how materialism becomes a guiding principle since the Company has given them nothing else to believe in. Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 8 Feb. 2024 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

Dictionary Entries Near despondency

Cite this Entry

“Despondency.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/despondency. Accessed 14 Nov. 2024.

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
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