1
as in sadness
a state or spell of low spirits
her slumping posture betrayed a growing despondence
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2
as in desperation
utter loss of hope
the ability to endure defeat without despondence has allowed him to weather the ups and downs of an acting career
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Recent Examples of despondence
Emitting a combination of anger, frustration, and despondence, the University of Utah’s fifth-year junior quarterback was 15 minutes removed from throwing a back-breaking interception in the end zone that helped seal a 29-26 University of Florida win at The Swamp.
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Josh Newman, The Salt Lake Tribune, 4 Sep. 2022
My pandemic weariness turned into despondence.
—Los Angeles Times, 6 May 2021
Baade, who remembers his own father’s despondence when the Braves left town, doesn’t outright dismiss the idea that the Brewers could leave, agreeing that a smaller-market team is at a disadvantage.
—Jr Radcliffe, Journal Sentinel, 17 Feb. 2023
Amy's behavior demonstrates how scoring high in each of these components facilitates a flexible, confident and passionate approach to life and ensures a strong degree of resiliency when faced with anxiety, despondence and overwhelm.
—Roberta Moore, Forbes, 14 Feb. 2023
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones recalls his own quiet despondence when Dallas began the season not only with a loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers but a five-game loss of quarterback Dak Prescott to a thumb fracture.
—Dallas News, 30 Oct. 2022
Both question the human costs of work, zooming in on the affects—despondence, alienation, indifference—that businesses produce alongside goods and services.
—Stephen Kearse, The Atlantic, 15 Apr. 2022
In Ohio on Monday night, though, Trump used the misstatements to project confidence and ward off any despondence among supporters in the face of polls that continue to show Biden with a solid lead nationwide.
—Todd J. Gillman, Dallas News, 23 Sep. 2020
And whether through aloofness or despondence, 27 percent said none of the words offered matched their feelings.
—Adam Taylor, Washington Post, 12 Nov. 2019
Josh Newman, The Salt Lake Tribune, 4 Sep. 2022
My pandemic weariness turned into despondence.
—Los Angeles Times, 6 May 2021
Baade, who remembers his own father’s despondence when the Braves left town, doesn’t outright dismiss the idea that the Brewers could leave, agreeing that a smaller-market team is at a disadvantage.
—Jr Radcliffe, Journal Sentinel, 17 Feb. 2023
Amy's behavior demonstrates how scoring high in each of these components facilitates a flexible, confident and passionate approach to life and ensures a strong degree of resiliency when faced with anxiety, despondence and overwhelm.
—Roberta Moore, Forbes, 14 Feb. 2023
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones recalls his own quiet despondence when Dallas began the season not only with a loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers but a five-game loss of quarterback Dak Prescott to a thumb fracture.
—Dallas News, 30 Oct. 2022
Both question the human costs of work, zooming in on the affects—despondence, alienation, indifference—that businesses produce alongside goods and services.
—Stephen Kearse, The Atlantic, 15 Apr. 2022
In Ohio on Monday night, though, Trump used the misstatements to project confidence and ward off any despondence among supporters in the face of polls that continue to show Biden with a solid lead nationwide.
—Todd J. Gillman, Dallas News, 23 Sep. 2020
And whether through aloofness or despondence, 27 percent said none of the words offered matched their feelings.
—Adam Taylor, Washington Post, 12 Nov. 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for despondence
Noun
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Buffalo’s offense was so dominant that Detroit coach Dan Campbell felt compelled to try a desperation onside kickoff just three minutes into the fourth quarter.Tim Graham, The Athletic, 16 Dec. 2024
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And having any sort of feeling of desperation related to the production of artwork is so wrong, so counterintuitive to any creative practice.Harmony Holiday, Los Angeles Times, 16 Dec. 2024
Noun
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How can the brain be stimulated to curb depression, pain, or the effects of Parkinson’s?Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 13 Dec. 2024
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Recognize Who is Most at Risk Certain conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease, obesity, and mental health conditions such as depression can increase the risk of developing severe illness from COVID-19.Essence, Essence, 13 Dec. 2024
Noun
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There is nothing worse than hopelessness, nothing more soul-destroying than pessimism, grief, and despair.Anne Applebaum, The Atlantic, 8 Dec. 2024
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Cooper's observations reflect the despair of countless individuals who have sought fairness and compassion, only to encounter roadblocks and bureaucratic indifference.Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 6 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Nearly all of them from his late grandmother, who occasionally spoke with melancholy and pride about her older son, Jack.Frank Witsil, Detroit Free Press, 6 Dec. 2024
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But Adams often located a layer of melancholy beneath her characters’ sunny surfaces, and those early performances had a depth that now makes her versatility seem obvious.Matthew Jacobs, Vulture, 6 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Hendrix went on to say the foundation shared in the sorrow of the child’s passing.Corina Vanek, The Arizona Republic, 3 Dec. 2024
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The topic, then, is sorrow, songs of sorrow, sounds of sorrow.Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 2 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near despondence
Cite this Entry
“Despondence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/despondence. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.
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