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
One half of Wembley was despondent and increasingly empty.
—
Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2025
Most of his teammates had departed for the buses, leaving behind an empty, despondent locker room.
—Kelly Iko, New York Times, 29 Apr. 2025
James Austin Johnson played a despondent President Donald Trump, akin to Jason Isaacs' Timothy Ratliff, as Chloe Fineman took on Parker Posey's show accent to play Melania Trump.
—Jillian Sederholm, EW.com, 13 Apr. 2025
Does her despondent demeanor and null motivation make Elsa herself an ideal pick to surrender her life?
—Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 11 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for despondent
Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2025
Most of his teammates had departed for the buses, leaving behind an empty, despondent locker room.
—Kelly Iko, New York Times, 29 Apr. 2025
James Austin Johnson played a despondent President Donald Trump, akin to Jason Isaacs' Timothy Ratliff, as Chloe Fineman took on Parker Posey's show accent to play Melania Trump.
—Jillian Sederholm, EW.com, 13 Apr. 2025
Does her despondent demeanor and null motivation make Elsa herself an ideal pick to surrender her life?
—Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 11 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for despondent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for despondent
Adjective
-
Someone who's absolutely desperate, just seeing that there's no other choice.—
Sasha Pezenik,
ABC News,
18 June 2025
-
Sitting sixth in the general classification (GC) entering the final stage, Seixas was desperate to hold onto his top 10, despite the relaxed expectations going in.—
Jacob Whitehead,
New York Times,
18 June 2025
Adjective
-
What would Georgia wear in her most depressed state?—
Hedy Phillips,
People.com,
16 June 2025
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That can put them on edge and heighten their separation anxiety, Langan said, and if their owners are depressed or grief-stricken about loss and uncertainty, the animals absorb those emotions too.—
Steve Lopez,
Los Angeles Times,
14 June 2025
Adjective
-
Those who are convinced they’re trapped stay helpless and hopeless.—
Amy Morin,
CNBC,
12 June 2025
-
In a world where the powerful increasingly act with impunity, taking fictional villains to task makes sense, a form of Hollywood wish fulfillment for those who feel stuck or hopeless.—
Whitney Friedlander,
Los Angeles Times,
11 June 2025
Adjective
-
The root of the fallout was the Who (and specifically Daltrey) being unhappy with Starkey’s performance when the band played a pair of Teenage Cancer Trust charity shows at London’s Royal Albert Hall in March.—
Daniel Kreps,
Rolling Stone,
22 June 2025
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On Friday, Devers alluded to being unhappy with how the Red Sox treated him.—
Gabrielle Starr,
Boston Herald,
20 June 2025
Adjective
-
Two screenshots from the video showing Ollie was a sad facial expression.—
Lucy Notarantonio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 June 2025
-
The building directly across the street stands in sad disrepair, its windows smashed, swathed in graffiti, a front garage door hangs half-open.—
Eric Adler,
Kansas City Star,
19 June 2025
Adjective
-
Days before Father’s Day, the heartbroken dad of Dominic Ferrell, the 17-year-old stabbed to death in a Brickell condo, is speaking out to thank those supporting his family, to condemn the violent killing and to urge parents to hold their children close.—
Devoun Cetoute,
Miami Herald,
14 June 2025
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He was booked into Metro Jail the night of June 1. 'Saddened and heartbroken': Attack rocks Boulder days after Israeli staffers slain Questions surround security protocols at the event The Saenger Theatre did not immediately respond to requests for comment on June 2.—
Saleen Martin,
USA Today,
2 June 2025
Adjective
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Meanwhile, in Germany, Avi tries to fill the hole left by Margarita’s absence with a trip of his own, embarking on a personal journey, both hope-inducing and despairing.—
Troy McMullen,
ABC News,
8 June 2025
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So Far Obscure philosophies The manifesto’s author pulled together various references to obscure philosophies in order to flesh out his ideas, indicating a mindset shaped by a confused amalgamation of toxic and despairing internet subcultures.—
Miles Klee,
Rolling Stone,
20 May 2025
Adjective
-
Championship-only fandom is a largely miserable existence.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
19 June 2025
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Unexpectedly miserable league seasons last time around for Tottenham and Manchester United — the final opponents at the Amex Stadium next May — are another reason why forecasting is hazardous, especially in Brighton’s case.—
Andy Naylor,
New York Times,
18 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Despondent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/despondent. Accessed 26 Jun. 2025.
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