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
Embarrassing Brighton for a third time this season by finishing above them would be a fantastic way to go from despondency after a rough start to delirium in May.
—
Matt Woosnam, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2025
Patty’s, where Matt fights his old mentor, alternating between rage and despondency.
—Keith Phipps, Vulture, 26 Mar. 2025
Injuries and performances are two football-relevant reasons for despondency, while United’s poor financial results point to more staff cuts.
—Andy Mitten, The Athletic, 21 Feb. 2025
Her despondency, her credulities, her joys.
—Hannah Gold, Harper's Magazine, 19 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for despondency
Matt Woosnam, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2025
Patty’s, where Matt fights his old mentor, alternating between rage and despondency.
—Keith Phipps, Vulture, 26 Mar. 2025
Injuries and performances are two football-relevant reasons for despondency, while United’s poor financial results point to more staff cuts.
—Andy Mitten, The Athletic, 21 Feb. 2025
Her despondency, her credulities, her joys.
—Hannah Gold, Harper's Magazine, 19 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for despondency
Recent Examples of Synonyms for despondency
Noun
-
Joe’s despair reminded me of a conversation my colleague Charlie Warzel had with the writer and technology theorist L. M. Sacasas in 2022.—
Shirley Li,
The Atlantic,
18 July 2025
-
Is the internet’s place in human history cemented as a harbinger of despair?—
Aarushi Bhandari,
The Conversation,
14 July 2025
Noun
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As Gaza’s money supply dwindled and civilians’ desperation mounted, cash brokers’ commissions — around 5% at the start of the war — skyrocketed.—
Wafaa Shurafa,
Fortune,
11 July 2025
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These accumulating pressures led Hollywood to a moment of existential desperation—which had unfortunate consequences for female actors.—
Mayukh Sen,
The Atlantic,
9 July 2025
Noun
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This projection was so oft repeated in the media that many Americans, especially Democrats, believed a depression was imminent.—
E.J. Antoni,
Boston Herald,
13 July 2025
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Later that day, Barry made landfall near the city of Tampico, on Mexico’s east coast, and weakened to a tropical depression.—
Elizabeth Kolbert,
New Yorker,
12 July 2025
Noun
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Many of Colbert’s regular guests shared their dismay.—
Emily Zemler,
Rolling Stone,
18 July 2025
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However, fans were upset by the wording of the question and shared their dismay on social media.—
Stephanie Wenger,
People.com,
11 July 2025
Noun
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Advertisement The answering note to its prevailing ironic treatment of Sir Walter is of course the melancholy and hint of regret that suffuse much of the novel’s tone.—
Brandon Taylor,
Time,
17 July 2025
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Over a balmy, slowly dissipating summer, nothing really pushes or pulls our aimless hero in either direction, and in this state of happy stagnation, melancholy becomes a comfort blanket.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
9 July 2025
Noun
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July always arrives with a blend of sunshine and sorrow for me.—
Belal Aftab,
Mercury News,
13 July 2025
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Having had time to process all she’s gone through over the last few years, Edwards has channeled her grief into the new album (out now), which sees the musician navigating her pain while trying to find beauty in her sorrow.—
Rachel DeSantis,
People.com,
11 July 2025
Noun
-
But there shouldn’t be too much doom and gloom around Madrid.—
Dermot Corrigan,
New York Times,
11 July 2025
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That’s even lower than the early pandemic period that was filled with layoffs, uncertainty, and general doom and gloom.—
Rebecca Fraser-Thill,
Forbes.com,
27 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Despondency.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/despondency. Accessed 25 Jul. 2025.
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