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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Recent Examples of despondency
Much contemporary writing exhibits despondency about the possibilities of relationships.
—
Haley Mlotek, The Atlantic, 14 Feb. 2025
One day, her despondency was interrupted by a meeting with the chiefs of the Iroquois’ Six Nation Confederacy to honor her efforts to bring back the bald eagle.
—Grrlscientist, Forbes, 21 Jan. 2025
This despondency arises less from the death of his partner, and more from the prospect of death itself.
—Matthew Scogin, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024
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
Haley Mlotek, The Atlantic, 14 Feb. 2025
One day, her despondency was interrupted by a meeting with the chiefs of the Iroquois’ Six Nation Confederacy to honor her efforts to bring back the bald eagle.
—Grrlscientist, Forbes, 21 Jan. 2025
This despondency arises less from the death of his partner, and more from the prospect of death itself.
—Matthew Scogin, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024
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
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Magnificent heroes of delicacy and seduction, Anouk Aimée and Jean-Louis Trintignant forever illuminate the film of our lives, like these two posters, whose colors express the intensity of a passionate love that triumphs over despair.—
Patrick Hipes,
Deadline,
21 Apr. 2025
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The most heartbreaking thing about this highly heartbreaking scene, to me, is how Ramsey communicates Ellie’s despair at realizing there’s no time to fix things between them.—
Kimberly Roots,
TVLine,
20 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Too many business owners negotiate from a place of desperation.—
Lien De Pau,
Forbes.com,
16 Apr. 2025
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The Browns or the Giants may feel the itch of desperation and draft Sanders in the top three.—
Derrik Klassen,
New York Times,
14 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Families who lose a loved one are prone to mental health deficits such as depression, PTSD, and anxiety, compounded by feelings of guilt, self-blame, shame, and condemnation, often resulting in social isolation.—
William Mullane,
USA Today,
19 Apr. 2025
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This number will go up, more children will struggle—depression, hunger and more parts of their lives will spiral out of control.—
Nicholas Creel,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Much to his dismay, though, the Elimination Challenge is to create a tasting menu based on pickles — a food Tristen apparently loathes.—
Caroline Framke,
Vulture,
18 Apr. 2025
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To June's dismay, her best friend is also determined to stay back and fight.—
Matt Cabral,
EW.com,
15 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Chu's main input was slowing down the song's pacing overall, leaning into the melancholy of the moment.—
Maureen Lee Lenker,
EW.com,
22 Mar. 2025
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Gyuri Kim, with her feeling for melancholy and uncertainty, turned out to be a wonderful counterpart.—
Jazz Monroe,
Pitchfork,
21 Mar. 2025
Noun
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And then, to forever live on earth, in a place with conflict and pain and sorrow, that’s not her goal.—
Brian Davids,
HollywoodReporter,
23 Apr. 2025
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In churches like this, where belief is expressed in multiple languages, the loss of a pope is a death in the family, and the sorrow, like the faith, runs deep.—
Janet Shamlian,
CBS News,
22 Apr. 2025
Noun
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And yet the announcement wasn’t all doom and gloom.—
Rebecca Ellis,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Apr. 2025
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Despite all the doom and gloom and the difficult comparison to past recessions, some analysts still see green shoots.—
Alex Weprin,
HollywoodReporter,
16 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Despondency.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/despondency. Accessed 3 May. 2025.
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