1
as in sadness
a state or spell of low spirits
in despondency because he couldn't seem to settle into a lasting relationship
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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 despondency
Patty’s, where Matt fights his old mentor, alternating between rage and despondency.
—
Keith Phipps, Vulture, 26 Mar. 2025
Injuries and performances are two football-relevant reasons for despondency, while United’s poor financial results point to more staff cuts.
—Andy Mitten, The Athletic, 21 Feb. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for despondency
Keith Phipps, Vulture, 26 Mar. 2025
Injuries and performances are two football-relevant reasons for despondency, while United’s poor financial results point to more staff cuts.
—Andy Mitten, The Athletic, 21 Feb. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for despondency
Recent Examples of Synonyms for despondency
Noun
-
This is the despair of wrestlers: unredeemed perspiration, useless bruises.—
James Parker,
The Atlantic,
6 July 2025
-
For the most part, professors were, yes, in despair.—
Sean Illing,
Vox,
5 July 2025
Noun
-
As Gaza’s money supply dwindled and civilians’ desperation mounted, cash brokers’ commissions — around 5% at the start of the war — skyrocketed.—
Wafaa Shurafa,
Fortune,
11 July 2025
-
These accumulating pressures led Hollywood to a moment of existential desperation—which had unfortunate consequences for female actors.—
Mayukh Sen,
The Atlantic,
9 July 2025
Noun
-
This projection was so oft repeated in the media that many Americans, especially Democrats, believed a depression was imminent.—
E.J. Antoni,
Boston Herald,
13 July 2025
-
Later that day, Barry made landfall near the city of Tampico, on Mexico’s east coast, and weakened to a tropical depression.—
Elizabeth Kolbert,
New Yorker,
12 July 2025
Noun
-
Bayern forward Harry Kane was on his knees, checking on Musiala’s well-being, as was captain Joshua Kimmich, who took one look at his young team-mate’s left leg and turned away in apparent dismay.—
Oliver Kay,
New York Times,
6 July 2025
-
The legislation also has a large-scale rollback of clean-energy initiatives, to the dismay of everyone from climate activists to Elon Musk.—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
3 July 2025
Noun
-
Only two divorcees responded with anything remotely reminiscent of misty-eyed melancholy.—
Hannah Pittard,
People.com,
8 July 2025
-
But the title track from his 1969 LP — a platinum-seller enshrined in the Library of Congress’ National Recording Registry — is perhaps his most impressive harmonic achievement, with a key change in the verse that lends a touch of melancholy to the song’s message of protest.—
Mikael Wood,
Los Angeles Times,
10 June 2025
Noun
-
Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett also condemned the shooting and expressed his sorrow for the parents of the victims.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
5 July 2025
-
We are filled with unbearable sorrow and despair at our loss.—
Aaron Valdez,
The Enquirer,
2 July 2025
Noun
-
But there shouldn’t be too much doom and gloom around Madrid.—
Dermot Corrigan,
New York Times,
11 July 2025
-
That’s even lower than the early pandemic period that was filled with layoffs, uncertainty, and general doom and gloom.—
Rebecca Fraser-Thill,
Forbes.com,
27 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Despondency.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/despondency. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share