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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in depressed
feeling unhappiness
feeling despondent over the death of another close friend
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of despondent
Just the kind of leadership despondent Democrats need.
—
Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times, 22 June 2025
Practice Gratitude For Your Achievements Many aid workers feel increasingly despondent over the state of the world and the role of our beloved country.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 29 May 2025
The fireworks inside the hearing room rallied both despondent Democrats eager for a more confrontational opposition to the Trump administration and MAGA enthusiasts who see Rubio as a powerful asset to the White House.
—David Catanese, Miami Herald, 21 May 2025
Malec does not have to worry about Bauer getting too excited when everything is going right or Bauer becoming despondent in tough times.
—Steve Fryer, Oc Register, 29 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for despondent
Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times, 22 June 2025
Practice Gratitude For Your Achievements Many aid workers feel increasingly despondent over the state of the world and the role of our beloved country.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 29 May 2025
The fireworks inside the hearing room rallied both despondent Democrats eager for a more confrontational opposition to the Trump administration and MAGA enthusiasts who see Rubio as a powerful asset to the White House.
—David Catanese, Miami Herald, 21 May 2025
Malec does not have to worry about Bauer getting too excited when everything is going right or Bauer becoming despondent in tough times.
—Steve Fryer, Oc Register, 29 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for despondent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for despondent
Adjective
-
This show hasn’t been relevant for over 20 years and is hanging on by a thread with uninspired ideas in a desperate attempt for attention.—
Kevin Dolak,
HollywoodReporter,
24 July 2025
-
This show hasn't been relevant for over 20 years and is hanging on by a thread with uninspired ideas in a desperate attempt for attention.—
Gabe Whisnant,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 July 2025
Adjective
-
Too little could leave you feeling down and even depressed.—
Bruce Y. Lee,
Forbes.com,
19 July 2025
-
Francis was depressed and couldn’t get out of bed for months, and in July 1976, a jury awarded her $2.6 million, finding the Howard Johnson chain responsible for her unsafe room.—
Mike Barnes,
HollywoodReporter,
17 July 2025
Adjective
-
How to get your love letter stamped from Valentine, Texas For more than three decades, the small-town Valentine Post Office — also known as the Love Station — has processed thousands of love letters from hopeless romantics around the world.—
Brandi D. Addison,
Austin American Statesman,
2 July 2025
-
Marcus Hopkins has been trying to have his criminal record expunged for years, a process which left him hopeless.—
Rebecca-Ann Jattan,
Sacbee.com,
26 June 2025
Adjective
-
Things will become much clearer once Jenkins — who is unhappy with his current contract is currently sidelined with a back injury — begins practicing.—
Rob Reischel,
Forbes.com,
27 July 2025
-
Galino is unhappy with how Jimenez is running his territory, and thinks Tommy can help the cartel get into the oil business.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
27 July 2025
Adjective
-
The sad reality is that Lucky really hasn't had all that much luck in his life to date.—
Jack Beresford,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 July 2025
-
Collins, who has previously celebrated the unique pleasures of the early dinner, finds something to like about lunch in all its guises—the power lunch, the liquid lunch, even the sad desk lunch.—
Ian Crouch,
New Yorker,
25 July 2025
Adjective
-
Ak’s heartbroken family are still reeling from her death.—
Rocco Parascandola,
New York Daily News,
22 July 2025
-
During the ‘54 season, a heartbroken Mack gave his sons, Earle and Roy, permission to sell his beloved team.—
Gabrielle Starr,
Boston Herald,
20 July 2025
Adjective
-
People are despairing over the Supreme Court and its deference to the president.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
4 July 2025
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Alcaraz swung slice serves past a despairing Lehečka’s forehand, while the Czech’s deliveries leapt up off the grass, contorting Alcaraz into uncomfortable return positions.—
James Hansen,
New York Times,
22 June 2025
Adjective
-
For now, this is DeVries on the job: intent but measured, teeth ready to clamp down on his tongue, establishing standards while also very much trying to make sure his team isn’t miserable from the beginning.—
Brian Hamilton,
New York Times,
11 July 2025
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His Panthers opened the season with two miserable losses, complete with booing from fans in the home opener, and the 23-year-old soon became the first quarterback selected No. 1 overall in the Super Bowl era to be benched for non-injury reasons.—
Eric Jackson,
Sportico.com,
7 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Despondent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/despondent. Accessed 31 Jul. 2025.
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