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.
—
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
-
An air of desperation hung over a handful of Premier League clubs last summer.—
Philip Buckingham,
The Athletic,
14 Jan. 2025
-
His words resonate deeply in a region where many, driven by desperation for a better life, risk their lives swimming or sailing across the perilous 25-mile Strait of Gibraltar to Spain—a journey that all too often ends in tragedy.—
Rooksana Hossenally,
Forbes,
13 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
The mental benefits of dancing are also well studied, improving mood and alleviating symptoms of stress, depression, and anxiety.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
26 Jan. 2025
-
From his research came a prescription: A nation plagued with heart disease, diabetes, depression and an addiction crisis was — more than anything else — in need of community.—
Rachel Kraus,
Los Angeles Times,
24 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Amid the despair and without information on her daughter’s whereabouts, Julia finds support and strength in other women whose lives also have been upended by the violence.—
Carlos Aguilar,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Jan. 2025
-
There will be those moments when the buoyancy of hope will be transformed into the fatigue of despair.—
Lydia Price,
People.com,
20 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Young American Taylah Sanders (Quintessa Swindell, sparky with a touch of melancholy), is part of a small NSA unit disguised as students on a gap year, sharing a pad in lovely Cassis on the French Mediterranean.—
Robert Lloyd,
Los Angeles Times,
21 Jan. 2025
-
Richard Engel Reporting from Jerusalem In Israel, there is a feeling of melancholy.—
Jennifer Jett,
NBC News,
17 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Inaugurations have been held in both joy and sorrow in the nation's capital and, infamously, on a plane in Dallas.—
James Powel,
USA TODAY,
18 Jan. 2025
-
In a heartfelt statement from Truex's children – Martin Truex Jr., Ryan Truex, and Marsha McVey, the family shared their deep sorrow, paying tribute to their late father.—
David Faris,
Newsweek,
18 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near despondence
Cite this Entry
“Despondence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/despondence. Accessed 29 Jan. 2025.
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