as in to depress
to make sad
nothing dejects a TV pundit more than the reality check that nobody cares what he thinks
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Recent Examples of deject
Vice President Kamala Harris appears to prioritize winning back Arab American and Muslim voters who were dejected by President Joe Biden’s handling of war in the Middle East over courting the Jewish voter.
—
Morgan Phillips, Fox News, 7 Oct. 2024
It’s been a dejecting homestand for Baltimore, which was coming off a 5-1 road trip against AL East foes Toronto and New York.
—Nathan Ruiz, Baltimore Sun, 31 May 2023
Once again dejected, Kendall was left communing with some body of water, the motif that has followed him throughout the series.
—Matthew Gilbert, BostonGlobe.com, 29 May 2023
Sims-Fewer didn’t seem dejected, though, putting a positive spin on things.
—Christiaan Hetzner, Fortune, 16 May 2023
Head coach Mike Budenholzer, voice fading and dejected, evaded the idea that free throws, or lack thereof, were to blame solely for the loss though.
—Journal Sentinel, 27 Apr. 2023
Belinda, feeling dejected, ended up throwing her business plan away.
—Sydney Bucksbaum, EW.com, 19 Apr. 2023
The explorers, down to 19 weary and dejected men, hastily buried Paixão, then resignedly returned to their portage.
—Larry Rohter, Smithsonian Magazine, 3 Apr. 2023
Many feel dejected because Biden has been unable to make good on a campaign pledge to bolster voting rights and are eager to see his administration keep the issue in the spotlight.
—CBS News, 5 Mar. 2023
Morgan Phillips, Fox News, 7 Oct. 2024
It’s been a dejecting homestand for Baltimore, which was coming off a 5-1 road trip against AL East foes Toronto and New York.
—Nathan Ruiz, Baltimore Sun, 31 May 2023
Once again dejected, Kendall was left communing with some body of water, the motif that has followed him throughout the series.
—Matthew Gilbert, BostonGlobe.com, 29 May 2023
Sims-Fewer didn’t seem dejected, though, putting a positive spin on things.
—Christiaan Hetzner, Fortune, 16 May 2023
Head coach Mike Budenholzer, voice fading and dejected, evaded the idea that free throws, or lack thereof, were to blame solely for the loss though.
—Journal Sentinel, 27 Apr. 2023
Belinda, feeling dejected, ended up throwing her business plan away.
—Sydney Bucksbaum, EW.com, 19 Apr. 2023
The explorers, down to 19 weary and dejected men, hastily buried Paixão, then resignedly returned to their portage.
—Larry Rohter, Smithsonian Magazine, 3 Apr. 2023
Many feel dejected because Biden has been unable to make good on a campaign pledge to bolster voting rights and are eager to see his administration keep the issue in the spotlight.
—CBS News, 5 Mar. 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deject
Verb
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One 2025 study published in BMC Geriatrics found that older adults who lived somewhere with better indoor air ventilation were less likely to be depressed compared to older adults with less indoor air ventilation.—
Jamie Friedlander Serrano,
Time,
27 Jan. 2026
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More than 140 million Americans were under winter storm warnings, depressing moviegoing.—
Jake Coyle,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Jan. 2026
Verb
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There’s nothing more luxurious for a guest than not having to trouble the host with a request for whatever item she’s forgotten.—
Betsy Cribb Watson,
Southern Living,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Following the success of films like Whiplash and La La Land, the Oscar-winning director has not had troubled attracting top tier talent like Craig, Murphy and Williams to star in his upcoming features.—
Justin Kroll,
Deadline,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
With many people around the world fighting for their freedom, Dallas’ historical cemetery stands as an example of how a group of people who were historically oppressed and enslaved could become free and prosperous.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
31 Jan. 2026
-
The resultant impunity means people turn to alternative structures for protection, from vigilantes to the very criminals that oppress them.—
Obi Anyadike,
semafor.com,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Health care costs shouldn’t burden working families while tax breaks benefit the wealthy.—
Rebecca Noel,
Charlotte Observer,
6 Feb. 2026
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City officials hope to reverse that trend by revitalizing the downtown area, from attracting businesses to vacant storefronts to developing unused city sites, such as the corner lot burdened with the remains of Hotel Marysville, which was destroyed by fire in 2024.—
Jake Goodrick,
Sacbee.com,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The rival bids have drawn scrutiny from antitrust experts and lawmakers, who worry that either death could reduce competition in an entertainment industry already dominated by streaming giants.—
Claire Carter,
The Washington Examiner,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Some landowners worry the power lines could cross near their homes and ranches.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
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As someone who loves reading novels, I'm saddened by this.—
Meg Walters,
Glamour,
3 Feb. 2026
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Nelsen said he was saddened for CapRadio and for all its listeners but hopes Reina’s arrest brings a sense of closure.—
Ishani Desai,
Sacbee.com,
30 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Deject.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deject. Accessed 7 Feb. 2026.
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