1
as in desperate
feeling or showing no hope
after four days and still no word that the missing plane had been located, the relatives were despondent
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in depressed
feeling unhappiness
feeling despondent over the death of another close friend
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 despondent
At 11, despondent over the course of her young life, Cox attempted suicide by swallowing all of her mother’s pills.
—
Lizzie Hyman,
PEOPLE,
28 May 2026
This is patient, observant storytelling, with brilliant casting choices (casting director Nina Gold) and performances that speak volumes about how the characters have changed over the decades — the jump from a buoyant Toheeb Jimoh to a despondent David Oyelowo is particularly heartbreaking.
—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
25 May 2026
All of the drama in this working-class community — wedged between Westminster and Thornton and less than 2 square miles in size — has longtime resident Jim Fenimore, 70, feeling despondent.
—
John Aguilar,
Denver Post,
4 May 2026
Yet, as the country’s fractious politics show, Americans are increasingly despondent.
—
Ben Smith,
semafor.com,
13 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for despondent
Lizzie Hyman,
PEOPLE,
28 May 2026
This is patient, observant storytelling, with brilliant casting choices (casting director Nina Gold) and performances that speak volumes about how the characters have changed over the decades — the jump from a buoyant Toheeb Jimoh to a despondent David Oyelowo is particularly heartbreaking.
—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
25 May 2026
All of the drama in this working-class community — wedged between Westminster and Thornton and less than 2 square miles in size — has longtime resident Jim Fenimore, 70, feeling despondent.
—
John Aguilar,
Denver Post,
4 May 2026
Yet, as the country’s fractious politics show, Americans are increasingly despondent.
—
Ben Smith,
semafor.com,
13 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for despondent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for despondent
Adjective
-
Today, the predicament is exacerbated by the fact developers tend to avoid these areas, leaving very low-income households in desperate need of family-sized, affordable rental apartments.
-
The justices split over whether this was a simple dispute over legal wording or a moral question involving desperate families.
Adjective
-
New-home construction tumbled, then stayed depressed for over a decade.
-
These figures mark a clear increase from depressed crossing rates seen during much of the Iran war since its start in late February.
Adjective
-
The conflict feels contemporary without growing too cynical, and the core relationship stakes seem real without skewing hopeless.
-
The situation of Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank would almost certainly worsen and become more hopeless.
Adjective
-
Isdin Melatonik If traditional retinoids have left your sensitive skin unhappy, Isdin's Melatonik Recovery Night Serum offers a gentler approach with bakuchiol.
-
Brown and the Celtics have both since denied speculation that the 29-year-old second-team All-NBA selection was unhappy with his role in Boston.
Adjective
-
Then Greene takes a long, sad subway ride home, and America learns that one of their favorite TV doctors isn't flawless.
-
Local foodies were sad to hear owner Sylvia Chung (Momma Chung) retired and closed the south Fort Worth restaurant in October of last year.
Adjective
-
The courtroom was packed with heartbroken supporters wanting justice for Jor'Dynn as each woman stood silent in front of the judge.
-
There is nothing more evocative of a pure Love Island experience than a heartbroken rage split in costume.
Adjective
-
His shot, low and hard and uncorked with minimal back-lift of his left foot, bounced through the gap between the despairing goalkeeper and his near post.
-
After 25 years, you'd be forgiven for thinking — despairing, really — that the formula for a perfect Scary Movie has been forgotten.
Adjective
-
Bryson, in particular, has looked miserable all season.
-
Despite concerns that the conflict in the Middle East would further squeeze a flagging labor market, hiring has picked up in recent months following a miserable 2025 that saw fewer than 200,000 job gains.
Cite this Entry
“Despondent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/despondent. Accessed 27 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
