1
as in sadness
a state or spell of low spirits
her slumping posture betrayed a growing despondence
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in desperation
utter loss of hope
the ability to endure defeat without despondence has allowed him to weather the ups and downs of an acting career
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 despondence
Liborio speaks with a mix of rage and despondence about his situation; complaining about the pejorative labels those around him call him to diminish his existence.
—
Carlos Aguilar,
Variety,
18 Mar. 2026
From shock to anger to despondence.
—
Ashley Sharp,
CBS News,
10 Feb. 2026
These could include feelings of overwhelming sadness (despondence), a sense that life will never get better (hopelessness) or actual thoughts of killing themselves.
—
Dr. Theresa T. Nguyen,
Boston Herald,
26 Oct. 2025
Amidst the initial confusion that followed the freezing of USAID grants, the mood across the humanitarian sector was one of panic, anxiety, and quiet despondence.
—
Alexander Puutio,
Forbes.com,
8 Aug. 2025
There’s a lingering despondence in his expression.
—
Julius Miller,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Jan. 2025
Democrats have already begun the autopsy on the election results as Harris supporters express a mix of outrage and despondence.
—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
7 Nov. 2024
Baade, who remembers his own father’s despondence when the Braves left town, doesn’t outright dismiss the idea that the Brewers could leave, agreeing that a smaller-market team is at a disadvantage.
—
Jr Radcliffe,
Journal Sentinel,
17 Feb. 2023
Amy's behavior demonstrates how scoring high in each of these components facilitates a flexible, confident and passionate approach to life and ensures a strong degree of resiliency when faced with anxiety, despondence and overwhelm.
—
Roberta Moore,
Forbes,
14 Feb. 2023
Carlos Aguilar,
Variety,
18 Mar. 2026
From shock to anger to despondence.
—
Ashley Sharp,
CBS News,
10 Feb. 2026
These could include feelings of overwhelming sadness (despondence), a sense that life will never get better (hopelessness) or actual thoughts of killing themselves.
—
Dr. Theresa T. Nguyen,
Boston Herald,
26 Oct. 2025
Amidst the initial confusion that followed the freezing of USAID grants, the mood across the humanitarian sector was one of panic, anxiety, and quiet despondence.
—
Alexander Puutio,
Forbes.com,
8 Aug. 2025
There’s a lingering despondence in his expression.
—
Julius Miller,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Jan. 2025
Democrats have already begun the autopsy on the election results as Harris supporters express a mix of outrage and despondence.
—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
7 Nov. 2024
Baade, who remembers his own father’s despondence when the Braves left town, doesn’t outright dismiss the idea that the Brewers could leave, agreeing that a smaller-market team is at a disadvantage.
—
Jr Radcliffe,
Journal Sentinel,
17 Feb. 2023
Amy's behavior demonstrates how scoring high in each of these components facilitates a flexible, confident and passionate approach to life and ensures a strong degree of resiliency when faced with anxiety, despondence and overwhelm.
—
Roberta Moore,
Forbes,
14 Feb. 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for despondence
Noun
-
Each room explores a different human emotion — joy and love, fear and hope, sadness and gratitude, anger and resilience.
-
Working again with collaborators Adrian Utley (Portishead) and Shahzad Ismaily (Ceramic Dog) and joined by Nick Hakim and drummer Tom Skinner (the Smile), Orton uses The Ground Above to create weighty songs that deal with both joy and sadness.
Noun
-
Tensions flared Saturday as desperation grew among anguished residents of the Venezuelan state of La Guaira, where rescuers and civilians searched for earthquake survivors amid a sharply rising death toll.
-
But the show repeatedly undercuts that point of view by halfway reinforcing the age-old American assumption that crime is born of poor individual choices among an uncivilized populace, not of poverty, desperation, and preservation, both self and communal.
Noun
-
About 10% of fathers develop symptoms like depression and anxiety during the perinatal period, which lasts from pregnancy through the first year after childbirth.
-
Many Americans rely on ACA coverage to afford medications to treat various diseases such as diabetes, asthma, depression and autoimmune diseases.
Noun
-
Rather than wallow in the despair of his wife's death, Robin decided to start Kay Days, a non-profit that pays for patients' parking on select days and during the week of his beloved wife's birthday.
-
That poor driver had to listen to me sniffle in shameful despair all the way back to the city.
Noun
-
Beneath all the sensuality and beauty, there’s also a lingering melancholy that feels very familiar to me.
-
Early Years Eichenberg recounted his childhood with some melancholy.
Noun
-
But where some might see hopelessness, Ortiz sees an opportunity for connection.
-
And when young people feel disconnected or believe systems are unresponsive to their daily experiences, that disconnection can deepen isolation and hopelessness.
Noun
-
Power Ballad should be breezy and fun, with that twist of mournfulness that Carney is always so adept at pulling off.
Noun
-
Kara is addicted to drowning her sorrows and avoiding responsibility, but learns to embrace heroism after embarking on a quest for revenge alongside Ruthye (Eve Ridley).
-
Parting is such sweet sorrow, but these guys aren’t going gently into the night just yet.
Cite this Entry
“Despondence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/despondence. Accessed 1 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
