DESPONDENCY Synonyms: 116 Similar and Opposite Words

despondency

noun

di-ˈspän-dən-sē

Definition of despondency

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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of despondency But while some like Nazanin feel a despondency heading into the new year, for others, hope springs eternal. — Leila Gharagozlou, CNN Money, 20 Mar. 2026 There are delicate parallels in O’Halloran’s screenplay showing the different ways in which the Evans men deal with their despondencies. — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 13 Feb. 2026 Its title perfectly captures her ability to chronicle in song frustration and hope, despondency and transcendence, with soulful grace and grit. — George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Jan. 2026 Much of the Shamblins’ lawsuit — echoing past claims of wrongdoing by families of users who were allegedly mistreated or supported in their bad acts by ChatGPT and other AI — traces his descent into despondency. — Adam Carlson, PEOPLE, 11 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for despondency

Recent Examples of Synonyms for despondency

Noun

The girls spend the day together — Laura has made an entire treasure hunt to celebrate Good Eagle’s birthday — and while there are moments of joy, there’s a lot of sadness weighing down on their tiny shoulders, too.

— Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 11 July 2026
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez expressed his sadness over the recent deaths in the country’s south.

— Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 10 July 2026

Definition of sadness

Noun

Detainees had little access to recreational activities and time outside, which mental health experts say exacerbates their despair.

— Perla Trevizo, ProPublica, 3 July 2026
Whether the episode amounted to anything beyond hearsay amid the ubiquitous sense of mass confusion and despair remains a question mark.

— Mery Mogollón, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2026

Definition of despair

Noun

Many anecdotes are from people who tried more conventional medicine for digestive issues and, from a place of desperation, decided to look elsewhere for solutions.

— Shelby Hartman, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026
Moreover, the series unpacks the heartwrenching realities of social inequity and how desperation can transform into shocking acts of violence.

— Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 8 July 2026

Definition of desperation

Noun

That occurs along a very typical-looking site that has a roughly 2,000 meter depression at the location of spreading, flanked by a series of rugged ridges.

— John Timmer, ArsTechnica, 8 July 2026
In 2019, the agency approved Johnson & Johnson’s Spravato, an esketamine nasal spray, for treatment-resistant depression in adults (it was later OK’d as a standalone depression treatment).

— Lizzy Lawrence, STAT, 8 July 2026

Definition of depression

Noun

Newton didn’t even attempt to jump on the second fumble, much to everyone’s dismay.

— Scott Fowler July 8, Charlotte Observer, 8 July 2026
Although Belgium coach Rudi Garcia and the Belgian federation had expressed dismay at FIFA’s decision to suspend Balogun’s red card ban, Garcia said his team was neither distracted nor motivated by the controversy.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 7 July 2026

Definition of dismay

Noun

The physical and mental toll was rough—countless tests and scans, monthly (or more frequent) ER visits for severe flares, mental breakdowns, anxiety, fear, panic, depression, insecurity, doubt, and hopelessness.

— Shannon Dingey, Health, 1 July 2026
But where some might see hopelessness, Ortiz sees an opportunity for connection.

— Joy Resmovits for The Trace, CBS News, 23 June 2026

Definition of hopelessness

Noun

The clouds begin to part The clouds of grief and sorrow that had enveloped Gounder with the approach of the World Cup were dispersed by the bright orange sun of a New York Knicks championship, the team’s first in 53 years.

— PJ Green, Kansas City Star, 8 July 2026
From shabby apartments to art experiments to filthy needles—with echoes of Patti Smith and Rebecca Makkai—Adler conjures an era of sorrow borne by too many, too young.

— Hamilton Cain, Time, 7 July 2026

Definition of sorrow

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“Despondency.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/despondency. Accessed 14 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of despondency

noun

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