despondent

adjective

de·spon·dent | \ di-ˈspän-dənt

Definition of despondent

: feeling or showing extreme discouragement, dejection, or depression despondent about his health

Other Words from despondent Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about despondent

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Synonyms & Antonyms for despondent

Synonyms

Antonyms

hopeful,
optimistic

Choose the Right Synonym for 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

Examples of despondent in a Sentence

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 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 I had never seen them looking so despondent. a group of despondent fans

Recent Examples on the Web Julia Gregor, an investigator for a public defender’s office in Seattle with two sons, ages 12 and 10, said the older boy had grown increasingly despondent during the pandemic. — Matt Richtel, New York Times, "Children’s Screen Time Has Soared in the Pandemic, Alarming Parents and Researchers," 16 Jan. 2021 His defense had argued that the actress, despondent about her fading career, shot herself through the mouth. — Christopher Weber And Linda Deutsch, USA TODAY, "Phil Spector, famed music producer convicted of murder, dies at 81," 17 Jan. 2021 His defense had argued that the actress, despondent about her fading career, shot herself through the mouth. — The Salt Lake Tribune, "Phil Spector, famed music producer convicted of murder, dies at 81," 17 Jan. 2021 His defense had argued that the actress, despondent about her fading career, shot herself through the mouth. — Christopher Weber And Linda Deutsch, Chron, "Phil Spector, famed music producer and murderer, dies at 81," 17 Jan. 2021 His defense had argued that the actress, despondent about her fading career, shot herself through the mouth. — CBS News, "Famed music producer Phil Spector, who was convicted of murder, has died at 81," 17 Jan. 2021 This is a tender and often humorous tale of the unlikely friendship that develops between a cantankerous and despondent old man and the immigrant woman who moves into his neighborhood. — Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, "The Fast Forward 2020 Winter Bookies reading list," 4 Jan. 2021 Republicans have a much rosier view of today’s economy, but are downright despondent about the future. — Washington Post, "Democrats and Republicans have traded places in their views of the economy’s direction," 20 Dec. 2020 But after her mother died following heart surgery, her 80-year-old father became despondent, Ms. Torp told suicide-prevention workers at a gun show here last autumn. — Roni Caryn Rabin, New York Times, "‘How Did We Not Know?’ Gun Owners Confront a Suicide Epidemic," 17 Nov. 2020

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.