1
as in sadness
a state or spell of low spirits
her slumping posture betrayed a growing despondence
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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
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Recent Examples of despondence
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
Emitting a combination of anger, frustration, and despondence, the University of Utah’s fifth-year junior quarterback was 15 minutes removed from throwing a back-breaking interception in the end zone that helped seal a 29-26 University of Florida win at The Swamp.
—Josh Newman, The Salt Lake Tribune, 4 Sep. 2022
My pandemic weariness turned into despondence.
—Los Angeles Times, 6 May 2021
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
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones recalls his own quiet despondence when Dallas began the season not only with a loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers but a five-game loss of quarterback Dak Prescott to a thumb fracture.
—Dallas News, 30 Oct. 2022
Both question the human costs of work, zooming in on the affects—despondence, alienation, indifference—that businesses produce alongside goods and services.
—Stephen Kearse, The Atlantic, 15 Apr. 2022
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
Emitting a combination of anger, frustration, and despondence, the University of Utah’s fifth-year junior quarterback was 15 minutes removed from throwing a back-breaking interception in the end zone that helped seal a 29-26 University of Florida win at The Swamp.
—Josh Newman, The Salt Lake Tribune, 4 Sep. 2022
My pandemic weariness turned into despondence.
—Los Angeles Times, 6 May 2021
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
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones recalls his own quiet despondence when Dallas began the season not only with a loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers but a five-game loss of quarterback Dak Prescott to a thumb fracture.
—Dallas News, 30 Oct. 2022
Both question the human costs of work, zooming in on the affects—despondence, alienation, indifference—that businesses produce alongside goods and services.
—Stephen Kearse, The Atlantic, 15 Apr. 2022
Recent Examples of Synonyms for despondence
Noun
-
Vegas, now in desperation mode, will have to resolve its disappearing offense and win the battle of urgency against Edmonton — something Jack Eichel said his team lacked on Monday.—
Sarah Jean Maher,
New York Times,
14 May 2025
-
Critics argue the murders were calculated acts of greed, rather than acts of desperation by abuse victims.—
Hanna Park,
CNN Money,
14 May 2025
Noun
-
Advanced technologies, physical security, and an abundance of stuff [courtesy of highly advanced 3D printers] does nothing to stop a growing wave of loneliness and depression.—
G Kirilloff,
Forbes.com,
14 May 2025
-
For some people with mild depression, walking might even be as effective as some medications.6 High-intensity exercise releases feel-good chemicals called endorphins, which can boost your mood following a workout.—
Jennifer Steinhoff,
Verywell Health,
14 May 2025
Noun
-
Emond’s script deftly contrives a third act that’s hopeful but still flecked with genuine despair.—
Leslie Felperin,
HollywoodReporter,
20 May 2025
-
But the despair from another losing fall subsided months ago, and winter, at last, has melted away.—
Matt Baker,
New York Times,
14 May 2025
Noun
-
At the opposite end of the court, a thick layer of melancholy was present.—
Kelly Iko,
New York Times,
16 May 2025
-
The far-reaching melancholy of musical theater has always been front and center in McAlpine’s work, which layers a lyricism of desire on top of string-heavy indie-pop arrangements.—
CT Jones,
Rolling Stone,
11 May 2025
Noun
-
The wind of sorrows is so violent today and sweeps up the weakest — the hostages of October 7 and all the hostages — the prisoners, the drowned, who endure terror and die in a terrible feeling of abandonment and indifference.—
Rachel Handler,
Vulture,
13 May 2025
-
Her words pierced through the haze of sorrow and became an enduring truth.—
Carissa Talmage,
People.com,
2 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Despondence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/despondence. Accessed 28 May. 2025.
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