1
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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2
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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3
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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Recent Examples of despondency
Her despondency, her credulities, her joys.
—
Hannah Gold, Harper's Magazine, 19 Feb. 2025
Much contemporary writing exhibits despondency about the possibilities of relationships.
—Haley Mlotek, The Atlantic, 14 Feb. 2025
One day, her despondency was interrupted by a meeting with the chiefs of the Iroquois’ Six Nation Confederacy to honor her efforts to bring back the bald eagle.
—Grrlscientist, Forbes, 21 Jan. 2025
This despondency arises less from the death of his partner, and more from the prospect of death itself.
—Matthew Scogin, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for despondency
Hannah Gold, Harper's Magazine, 19 Feb. 2025
Much contemporary writing exhibits despondency about the possibilities of relationships.
—Haley Mlotek, The Atlantic, 14 Feb. 2025
One day, her despondency was interrupted by a meeting with the chiefs of the Iroquois’ Six Nation Confederacy to honor her efforts to bring back the bald eagle.
—Grrlscientist, Forbes, 21 Jan. 2025
This despondency arises less from the death of his partner, and more from the prospect of death itself.
—Matthew Scogin, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for despondency
Recent Examples of Synonyms for despondency
Noun
-
Emond’s script deftly contrives a third act that’s hopeful but still flecked with genuine despair.—
Leslie Felperin,
HollywoodReporter,
20 May 2025
-
But the despair from another losing fall subsided months ago, and winter, at last, has melted away.—
Matt Baker,
New York Times,
14 May 2025
Noun
-
Though the film doesn’t have an outwardly strong political message, it’s set against the backdrop of the Vietnam War, adding an extra layer of desperation to O’Connor’s character.—
Ellise Shafer,
Variety,
23 May 2025
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And to think, that breakout had come entirely out of desperation for pitching depth.—
Ryan Kartje,
Los Angeles Times,
22 May 2025
Noun
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The drug is believed to create more connections between brain cells, a process thought to ease depression and decrease suicidal thoughts, according to Mayo Clinic.—
Khloe Quill,
FOXNews.com,
25 May 2025
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The Pennsylvania Democrat was elected to his seat in November 2022, months after suffering a stroke, and later was checked into Walter Reed National Military Medical Center for treatment for depression in early 2023.—
Jack Birle,
The Washington Examiner,
24 May 2025
Noun
-
To the surprise of a few and the dismay of many, Mott elected to ship the Derby winner back to his Saratoga Springs base to train for the Belmont Stakes on June 7.—
Teresa Genaro,
New York Times,
16 May 2025
-
Her father, much to her dismay, turned out to be partly responsible for the nuclear attacks that destroyed their world.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
14 May 2025
Noun
-
At the opposite end of the court, a thick layer of melancholy was present.—
Kelly Iko,
New York Times,
16 May 2025
-
The far-reaching melancholy of musical theater has always been front and center in McAlpine’s work, which layers a lyricism of desire on top of string-heavy indie-pop arrangements.—
CT Jones,
Rolling Stone,
11 May 2025
Noun
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Long time residents throughout the Bay Area and beyond will recall the shock and sorrow of Nov. 27, 1978, when White walked into City Hall and shot Milk and Moscone.—
Georgia Rowe,
Mercury News,
28 May 2025
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In fact, research has found that some animal species may indeed use wit to strengthen their bonds in the same way that many have the capacity for love, fear, sorrow, guilt, anger, shame, disgust and empathy – and that primates smile and some rats can giggle.—
Cecilia Rodriguez,
Forbes.com,
27 May 2025
Noun
-
Boomer Blockade Despite the doom and gloom news cycle.—
Kian Bakhtiari,
Forbes.com,
25 May 2025
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Understandably, media companies don’t want to scare advertisers with lots of doom and gloom.—
Joe Otterson,
Variety,
20 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Despondency.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/despondency. Accessed 3 Jun. 2025.
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