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
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
Feelings of liberation and despondency clashed in Nguyen-Amigo’s chest like a head-on collision.
—Jonathan Horwitz, Oc Register, 20 June 2025
One of the most crowded events was that of Politico and CBS News, even as some of the network’s journalists are in a state of anxiety and even despondency over the potential for parent Paramount Global would settle Trump’s lawsuit over 60 Minutes‘ edits of a Kamala Harris interview.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 27 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences 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
Feelings of liberation and despondency clashed in Nguyen-Amigo’s chest like a head-on collision.
—Jonathan Horwitz, Oc Register, 20 June 2025
One of the most crowded events was that of Politico and CBS News, even as some of the network’s journalists are in a state of anxiety and even despondency over the potential for parent Paramount Global would settle Trump’s lawsuit over 60 Minutes‘ edits of a Kamala Harris interview.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 27 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for despondency
Recent Examples of Synonyms for despondency
Noun
-
Followers and fans of Tika online expressed their sadness in the comment section.—
Tabitha Parent,
PEOPLE,
5 Nov. 2025
-
And in the last days of August, laughter and pot would waft over the scene, happiness laced with sadness.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
4 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Every adrenaline rush comes with a chaser of low rage and simmering despair.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
11 Nov. 2025
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His face could collapse in shame, his jaw sliding sideways; neither Goya nor Ensor painted despair more vividly.—
David Denby,
New Yorker,
10 Nov. 2025
Noun
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In desperation, Ben calls their older sister Hannah (Alexandra Daddario), despite scant contact since she got thrown out of the family home years prior.—
Dennis Harvey,
Variety,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Two goals down with 30 minutes left, Charlotte pushed forward with desperation but lacked precision.—
Colin Cerniglia,
Charlotte Observer,
7 Nov. 2025
Noun
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And on a more basic level, gardening activities also serve to reduce anxiety, aggression and depression, and to increase cognitive function.—
The San Diego Union Tribune,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 Nov. 2025
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Feeling tired is not a typical sign of high blood pressure and is more often linked to other issues like poor sleep, depression, or low blood pressure.—
Alexandria Nyembwe,
Health,
7 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Summit players fell to the turf in dismay; Seguin players jubilantly sprinted around the visitor’s turf.—
Cody Thorn,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
7 Nov. 2025
-
See video … MICHELLE BACKUS – Zohran Mamdani’s fiery speech surprises some, to the dismay of others.—
,
FOXNews.com,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
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However, amid the current turmoil in all three branches of our government, the show echoes a tone of hopelessness.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
6 Nov. 2025
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In a world fraught with real-life villains, political upheaval and a collective sense of hopelessness, fantasy steps in to inspire people to carry on, and that rings especially true for LGBTQ+ teens.—
Brittany Johnson,
PEOPLE,
2 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Coppola and production designer Ziering will explore their creative partnership, the aesthetic and emotional storytelling that defines Coppola’s visual universe — from the suburban melancholy of Palo Alto to the luminous complexity of The Last Showgirl.—
Rosy Cordero,
Deadline,
29 Oct. 2025
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Full of dread and melancholy, the Austrian import flips the creepy-kid script a bit by centering on two boys (Elias and Lukas Schwarz) who wonder whether their mom (Susanne Wuest), whose head is wrapped in bandages after facial surgery, is actually their mom. 38.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
21 Oct. 2025
Noun
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And that's appropriate; coziness and sorrow are not mutually exclusive.—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
8 Nov. 2025
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Teams and players in the sport expressed sorrow about the news.—
Ryan Canfield,
FOXNews.com,
7 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Despondency.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/despondency. Accessed 13 Nov. 2025.
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