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
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2
as in depressed
feeling unhappiness
feeling despondent over the death of another close friend
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of despondent
Triggering can also make someone depressed, anxious, despondent or even suicidal.
—
Charles Trepany, USA Today, 20 Mar. 2026
Some withdraw and become despondent.
—Mike Hixenbaugh, NBC news, 13 Mar. 2026
In 2021, Talarico grew despondent.
—Tad Friend, New Yorker, 23 Feb. 2026
At least two people lost their life savings and, despondent, then took their own lives.
—Kevin Williams, CNBC, 10 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for despondent
Charles Trepany, USA Today, 20 Mar. 2026
Some withdraw and become despondent.
—Mike Hixenbaugh, NBC news, 13 Mar. 2026
In 2021, Talarico grew despondent.
—Tad Friend, New Yorker, 23 Feb. 2026
At least two people lost their life savings and, despondent, then took their own lives.
—Kevin Williams, CNBC, 10 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for despondent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for despondent
Adjective
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Despite desperate attempts to escape in April 1848, every man who participated in the expedition died, marking the worst disaster in the history of British polar exploration, according to London's Royal Museums Greenwich.—
Kerry Breen,
CBS News,
14 May 2026
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This page has very mixed feelings about that subsidy, but is not similarly ambivalent about Chicago’s desperate need to get the wheels of development turning again.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
14 May 2026
Adjective
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Children, yes, but families, grown-ups, single people, divorced people, cheerful people, depressed people, dog people, cat people, Dodgers fans, Padres fans, whomever.—
Todd Martens,
Los Angeles Times,
12 May 2026
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But there are some important factors that could lower their ceiling, namely depressed enthusiasm with some key groups, the fact that there are fewer competitive districts than ever before and the state of the redistricting battle.—
Domenico Montanaro,
NPR,
9 May 2026
Adjective
-
That reality makes the climb for promising teams like the Magic feel almost hopeless.—
Mike Bianchi,
The Orlando Sentinel,
14 May 2026
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To Some New Island Guests With a competitive streak a mile wide, Penny (Roorbach) is charming, popular, and a hopeless romantic – for now, anyway.—
Nellie Andreeva,
Deadline,
7 May 2026
Adjective
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Wait times, and particularly in the emergency department, wait times were skyrocketing, patient satisfaction, and everybody was just generally unhappy.—
Torie Bosch,
STAT,
9 May 2026
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Sources have told Deadline that Fox was originally unhappy with the creative on Season 14 of the show, but collaborated with the creative team and was ultimately sated.—
Peter White,
Deadline,
8 May 2026
Adjective
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The failure of so many in the political world to speak up displays a sad and growing moral bankruptcy.—
Bobby Zirkin,
Baltimore Sun,
14 May 2026
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Don’t be sad — this is not a farewell forever.—
Denni Hu,
Footwear News,
14 May 2026
Adjective
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So, understandably, they were left heartbroken after discovering the dog had escaped his yard on Chicago's Northwest Side.—
Escher Walcott,
PEOPLE,
13 May 2026
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The Beckhams, who sold their crash pad in One Museum Tower in downtown Miami, but maintain a spec house in Miami Beach, are said to be heartbroken about the estrangement.—
Madeleine Marr,
Miami Herald,
13 May 2026
Adjective
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Still, Ohm is more despairing and miserable than any of the wretched worms Scott has acted to date.—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Apr. 2026
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Irony doesn’t have to be nihilistic or despairing.—
Aaron Matz,
The New York Review of Books,
4 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Amid the Wave’s miserable season that followed both on and off the field, Shaw asked for a trade to the North Carolina Courage, which was granted ahead of the 2025 season.—
Tom Krasovic,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 May 2026
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The Jets finished last in rushing attempts in a wholly miserable campaign.—
Zack Rosenblatt,
New York Times,
9 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Despondent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/despondent. Accessed 15 May. 2026.
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