1
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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2
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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3
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
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Recent Examples of despondency
But the open spaces between them express an urban despondency that’s hard to discount.
—
Justin Davidson, Curbed, 9 Sep. 2025
This need not be a recipe for despondency.
—Hussein Agha, New Yorker, 22 Aug. 2025
Depression can take many forms: Some people experience it as emotional despondency, while others struggle with obsessive thoughts or a loss of pleasure.
—IEEE Spectrum, 30 June 2025
Amid claustrophobic layers of sadness, grief and despondency, Anohni emerged as the most fearless kind of provocateur — a truth-teller who refused to remain silent and complacent in the face of injustice and wrongdoing.
—Bob Gendron, Chicago Tribune, 12 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for despondency
Justin Davidson, Curbed, 9 Sep. 2025
This need not be a recipe for despondency.
—Hussein Agha, New Yorker, 22 Aug. 2025
Depression can take many forms: Some people experience it as emotional despondency, while others struggle with obsessive thoughts or a loss of pleasure.
—IEEE Spectrum, 30 June 2025
Amid claustrophobic layers of sadness, grief and despondency, Anohni emerged as the most fearless kind of provocateur — a truth-teller who refused to remain silent and complacent in the face of injustice and wrongdoing.
—Bob Gendron, Chicago Tribune, 12 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for despondency
Recent Examples of Synonyms for despondency
Noun
-
Across countries, sadness, anger, loneliness and despair are at the highest levels recorded in decades.—
Vibhas Ratanjee,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
-
The mood in the crowd was widespread anger and sadness — recalling the same outpouring of wrath and grief that shook the city after the murder of George Floyd at the hands of police in 2020, although without the widespread violent protests then.—
Jack Brook,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Through war, famine, and economic despair, people have come together to survive and thrive.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
28 Jan. 2026
-
Europe’s economy is showing signs of recovery, despite widespread despair over its prospects.—
Tom Chivers,
semafor.com,
28 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Teams that flame out in the playoffs will enter the market with desperation and aggressive intentions.—
Dieter Kurtenbach,
Mercury News,
31 Jan. 2026
-
There’s ample gore and jumpy moments, but the true scariness here is of the forlorn kind; leads Joe Bird and Stacy Clausen play the mounting nightmare with ache and desperation, elevating the emotional tenor of a dolefully eerie movie.—
Richard Lawson,
HollywoodReporter,
31 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Studies have shown that some medical conditions, like polycystic ovarian syndrome and depression, can also increase food noise, as can stress and inadequate sleep.—
Shiv Sudhakar,
FOXNews.com,
2 Feb. 2026
-
My body often shut down and I was overcome with anxiety and depression, unable to eat or sleep, hiding away in a dark room for days until the pain lifted.—
Fatima Bhutto,
Vogue,
31 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Our dismay over the missing notebooks is shared by Josh Levy, who's the historian of science and technology at the manuscript division of the Library of Congress.—
Natalia Sánchez Loayza,
Scientific American,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Then, to some parents’ dismay, Thursday too.—
Jessica Ma,
Dallas Morning News,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Additional data shows that the lack of in person connection is quickly becoming a relationship crisis, with 78% of Bumble users sharing that anxiety and stress to present themselves as perfect lead to hopelessness in finding someone, which in turn has lessened the rates of offline relationships.—
Rachel Burchfield,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Another 2022 study from Rutgers University, focused on COVID-19 news, found that greater daily exposure to news about the virus was linked to higher same-day and next-day worry about the pandemic as well as feelings of hopelessness and general worry.—
Mary Kekatos,
ABC News,
28 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
At some point this winter — maybe a few days, maybe a few weeks — melancholy will fade and Hurricanes fans will be able to appreciate all that was accomplished during a season when UM got back its good name and returned to prominence.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
20 Jan. 2026
-
Neither a square nor prime number, 2026 is still intriguing Number enthusiasts may be looking to the new year with a touch of melancholy.—
Manon Bischoff,
Scientific American,
10 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Inevitably, Big Ant soon comes crashing back down to Earth and the swirl of anger and sorrow that await him there; inevitably, Lil Ant and Lozita are forced to face his unhappiness, and figure out how to react.—
Angie Han,
HollywoodReporter,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Saturn leaving Pisces on February 13 lifts the heavy blanket of sorrow and exhaustion that’s been dampening your life force for the last three years, freeing you to unthaw a bit from the winter of your discontent.—
Steph Koyfman,
Condé Nast Traveler,
29 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Despondency.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/despondency. Accessed 3 Feb. 2026.
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