DESPONDENCIES Synonyms: 116 Similar and Opposite Words

despondency

noun

di-ˈspän-dən-sē

Definition of despondency

as in sadness

a state or spell of low spirits in despondency because he couldn't seem to settle into a lasting relationship

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in despair

the state of being discouraged in their despondency they seemingly forgot that losing teams can become winning teams in a single season

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in desperation

utter loss of hope never once gave into despondency and self-pity during her long recovery from her injuries in the car crash

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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 despondency But while some like Nazanin feel a despondency heading into the new year, for others, hope springs eternal. — Leila Gharagozlou, CNN Money, 20 Mar. 2026 There are delicate parallels in O’Halloran’s screenplay showing the different ways in which the Evans men deal with their despondencies. — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 13 Feb. 2026 Its title perfectly captures her ability to chronicle in song frustration and hope, despondency and transcendence, with soulful grace and grit. — George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Jan. 2026 Much of the Shamblins’ lawsuit — echoing past claims of wrongdoing by families of users who were allegedly mistreated or supported in their bad acts by ChatGPT and other AI — traces his descent into despondency. — Adam Carlson, PEOPLE, 11 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for despondency

Recent Examples of Synonyms for despondency

Noun

Each new body part is tinged with a bit of pleasure, pushing up against the edges of my sadness and embracing it chummily.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 20 July 2026
The Hole Truth And Nothing Butt, telling the story of these Texan wildmen and their real-life moments of brilliance and hilarity, with revelations of profound sadness.

— Steve Appleford, SPIN, 20 July 2026

Definition of sadness

Noun

That sense of despair could be because the album captured the band in a state of crisis.

— Sam Goldner, Pitchfork, 19 July 2026
Rayan Cherki captured the sense of shock and despair among the France players on a day when their World Cup dream died, in a 2-0 defeat to Spain that was as emphatic as the scoreline suggests.

— Stuart James, New York Times, 18 July 2026

Definition of despair

Noun

Anna Marian Block, a spokesperson for the Republican Governors Association, said Moore’s trip was a sign of desperation for Georgia Democrats, not strength.

— Tia Mitchell, AJC.com, 15 July 2026
Morocco’s quality and desperation ultimately proved the difference as Saibari scored for the third group game running before Soufiane Rahimi’s second-half cameo got them the win.

— Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 11 July 2026

Definition of desperation

Noun

Its blockbuster antidepressant Prozac transformed the treatment of depression and fueled Lilly's last major sales boom before the GLP-1 explosion.

— Angelica Peebles, CNBC, 16 July 2026
Research shows that these students are more likely to have poorer physical health, higher rates of depression and lower GPAs than their peers.

— Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 16 July 2026

Definition of depression

Noun

Incredibly, neither finalist was able to beat the Blue Sharks in 90 minutes of soccer – the nation also held Spain to a 0-0 draw in its opening group-stage fixture, much to the dismay of the above Spanish editor.

— Ben Church, CNN Money, 17 July 2026
Even Athena, if that genuinely is whom Zendaya is playing, isn’t that helpful, mostly staring at Odysseus in mute dismay.

— Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 15 July 2026

Definition of dismay

Noun

The physical and mental toll was rough—countless tests and scans, monthly (or more frequent) ER visits for severe flares, mental breakdowns, anxiety, fear, panic, depression, insecurity, doubt, and hopelessness.

— Shannon Dingey, Health, 1 July 2026
But where some might see hopelessness, Ortiz sees an opportunity for connection.

— Joy Resmovits for The Trace, CBS News, 23 June 2026

Definition of hopelessness

Noun

As the genre’s name suggests, country music tends to be preoccupied with place; the charts are full of tributes to the satisfaction of being firmly rooted in a small town, and the sorrows of leaving it behind.

— Kelefa Sanneh, New Yorker, 19 July 2026
Bet your bottom dollar that Son Heung-min, LAFC’s $26-million man — the record MLS fee for an incoming player — would peel himself off the mat and clear away the cobwebs and the sorrow of the past few weeks and months.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 18 July 2026

Definition of sorrow

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“Despondency.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/despondency. Accessed 22 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of despondency

noun

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