dejection

noun

di-ˈjek-shən How to pronounce dejection (audio)
Definition of dejectionnext
as in sadness
a state or spell of low spirits I find that ice cream often works wonders when trying to overcome dejection

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of dejection The air of dejection spreads to the boardroom. — Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 11 May 2026 Channeling ’90s slowcore and post-rock into gorgeously brooding odes to dejection, the Chicago quartet’s debut is downer music at its most alluring. — Joshua Minsoo Kim, Pitchfork, 13 Apr. 2026 As the score tilted more and more and more heavily in Memphis’ favor Friday night, Mavericks’ fans’ dejection level probably depended on their larger-picture perspective. — Brad Townsend, Dallas Morning News, 27 Feb. 2026 The world watched as the heavy favorite to triumph at the Milan Cortina Games sat through several agonizing minutes of dejection. — Dave Skretta, Chicago Tribune, 15 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for dejection
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dejection
  1. sadness
  2. depression
  3. melancholy
  4. sorrow
Noun
  • Nonetheless, Simón stirs up the ineffable sadness that comes with wanting answers to the mysteries of your family — and then, like it or not, receiving them.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026
  • There’s a frank sadness to nearly every scene, but also a tenderness and warmth between these two unlikely friends.
    — Jordan Hoffman, Entertainment Weekly, 1 July 2026
Definition of sadness
Noun
  • That occurs along a very typical-looking site that has a roughly 2,000 meter depression at the location of spreading, flanked by a series of rugged ridges.
    — John Timmer, ArsTechnica, 8 July 2026
  • In 2019, the agency approved Johnson & Johnson’s Spravato, an esketamine nasal spray, for treatment-resistant depression in adults (it was later OK’d as a standalone depression treatment).
    — Lizzy Lawrence, STAT, 8 July 2026
Definition of depression
Noun
  • Beneath all the sensuality and beauty, there’s also a lingering melancholy that feels very familiar to me.
    — Erik Pedersen, Oc Register, 16 June 2026
  • Don Hertzfeldt occasionally comes to mind for a similarly pervasive mood of questioning, philosophical melancholy.
    — Jessica Kiang, Variety, 12 June 2026
Definition of melancholy
Noun
  • President Asif Ali Zardari expressed sorrow over the crash and offered condolences to the victims' families.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 July 2026
  • Croatia’s World Cup exit was not without a fight, with a last-minute, stoppage time goal that likely had fans screaming at the TV in jubilation, and then in sorrow.
    — Alex Connor, USA Today, 3 July 2026
Definition of sorrow

Browse Nearby Words

dejecting
dejection
dejects
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Cite this Entry

“Dejection.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dejection. Accessed 11 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on dejection

Nglish: Translation of dejection for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about dejection

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