Definition of DESPONDENT

Examples of despondent in a Sentence

Writers who spend much time in universities are likely to grow despondent over the future of literature, for there it is treated as a finished thing. —Louis Simpson, New York Times Book Review, 21 Nov. l982
His colleagues did not care for his despondent company, which made him suffer more, which perpetuated their distance … —Noah Charney, The Art Thief, 2007
The Simpsons' plots are a bit more sophisticated than their Saturday morning counterparts and are occasionally tinged with pathos—as when Homer loses his job at the nuclear-power plant and becomes despondent and even suicidal. —Jerry Lazar, TV Guide, 13 Jan. 1990
I had never seen them looking so despondent.
a group of despondent fans

Recent Examples of despondent from the Web

In the hours after the Cleveland Cavaliers' Game 3 loss, Kyrie Irving was despondent, still beating himself up over his missed step-back 3-pointer with less than 30 seconds remaining.

— ted crow, cleveland.com, "Will it be a LeBron James vs. Kevin Durant rematch in 2018 NBA Finals? -- Crowquill," 14 June 2017
Devastated and despondent, Childress stood on the deck of Bill France Jr.’s dock in Daytona — ready to walk away from it all — two days after the accident.

— george diaz, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Austin Dillon finally breaks free from great expectations of No. 3," 29 May 2017
Stuck in Warsaw, unsure if he would ever be allowed to leave or to see his family again, Milosz was despondent.

— adam kirsch, The New Yorker, "Czeslaw Milosz’s Battle for Truth," 29 May 2017
Ariana Grande posted a despondent tweet hours after a man bombed her Manchester, England, concert.

— sean rossman, USA TODAY, "Ga. father tells Ariana Grande 'take care of you first' in touching letter," 26 May 2017
But is Al Gore himself despondent or depressed about it all?

— kenneth turan, latimes.com, "Al Gore on the French Riviera: Why he was reluctant to make 'An Inconvenient Sequel'," 24 May 2017
There are many reasons to visit Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park—copious wildlife, underground grottos, sweeping beaches—but those still desperate to catch a glimpse of the precious lotus flower shouldn’t feel entirely despondent.

— lale arikoglu, Condé Nast Traveler, "After 10 Year-Gap, Thousands of Lotuses Bloom in Thailand," 24 May 2017
In bond court, prosecutors said Johnson was despondent about her strained relationship with the father of her 2-year-old son.

— george houde, chicagotribune.com, "Mother accused of trying to kill kids with tainted smoothies, plastic bags," 12 May 2017
Still, Williams was never angry or aggressive, just despondent.

— trymaine lee, NBC News, "West Virginia Cop Fired After Not Shooting Suicidal Man Sues City," 10 May 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'despondent.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of despondent

Latin despondent-, despondens, present participle of despondēre

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First Known Use: circa 1699

See Words from the same year

despondent Synonyms

Synonym Discussion of despondent

despondent, despairing, desperate, hopeless mean having lost all or nearly all hope. despondent implies a deep dejection arising from a conviction of the uselessness of further effort. despondent about yet another rejection despairing suggests the slipping away of all hope and often despondency. despairing appeals for the return of the kidnapped child desperate implies despair that prompts reckless action or violence in the face of defeat or frustration. one last desperate attempt to turn the tide of battle hopeless suggests despair and the cessation of effort or resistance and often implies acceptance or resignation. the situation of the trapped miners is hopeless

despondent