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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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
Much contemporary writing exhibits despondency about the possibilities of relationships.
—Haley Mlotek, The Atlantic, 14 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for 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
Much contemporary writing exhibits despondency about the possibilities of relationships.
—Haley Mlotek, The Atlantic, 14 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for despondency
Recent Examples of Synonyms for despondency
Noun
-
So many of the adults who held our communities together have been lost to mass incarceration, to addictions—diseases of despair—as drugs have replaced jobs and hope in our neighborhoods, often turning them into war zones.—
Asha Bandele,
Essence,
25 June 2025
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The best dystopian films are the most plausible ones, and Children Of Men feels all too real, from the political factions to the way humanity both descends into despair and miraculously comes together to help those who need it most.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
22 June 2025
Noun
-
The Oklahoma City Thunder had a chance to close out the series in Game 6 on Thursday night, but the Indiana Pacers came out with desperation in front of their home crowd and dominated for nearly the entire contest.—
Nick Crain,
Forbes.com,
20 June 2025
-
Perry strips the narrative down to raw moments of desperation, exploring what can happen when someone's pushed beyond their limits.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
10 June 2025
Noun
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Spending time with a therapy dog can also reduce anxiety, loneliness and depression, while increasing the patient's socialization.—
Alyce Collins,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 June 2025
-
For some, symptoms stabilize or improve, especially if caused by treatable issues like depression or medication side effects.—
Nawab John Dar,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
18 June 2025
Noun
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Six games into the 1981-82 season, Johnson expressed dismay over then-coach Paul Westhead, which paved the way for a 36-year-old Pat Riley to take over as head coach.—
James Jackson,
New York Times,
20 June 2025
-
Panthers players mobbed in the corner, while the Oilers watched in dismay.—
Houston Mitchell,
Los Angeles Times,
18 June 2025
Noun
-
Labor Day is suffused with a certain melancholy at the end of summer and children are already back in school.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
19 June 2025
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That betrayal, like so many others, fed the melancholy in Brian's music.—
Philip Martin,
Arkansas Online,
15 June 2025
Noun
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Not the murder, not the arrival of the addicted sister, but the removal of the boy that has been at the core of so much sorrow and betrayal between the sisters.—
Antonia Blyth,
Deadline,
20 June 2025
-
That haunting blend of sorrow and defiance shaped us.—
Nazanin Boniadi,
Time,
17 June 2025
Noun
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Adding to the gloom in Tokyo is the uncertainty of U.S. tariff policy toward China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), where Japanese firms are also heavily invested.—
Robert Ward,
NPR,
27 May 2025
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Consumers are hunting for cheaper vacations — and road trips are one way people are keeping travel plans despite economic gloom.—
Amina Kilpatrick,
NBC news,
26 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Despondency.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/despondency. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.
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