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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of despondency
That doesn’t happen after Nico Williams gives Spain the lead; there is only despondency at watching England fall behind.
—
Tim Spiers, The Athletic, 15 July 2024
Katie Hafner: The mood of the research team, Dora wrote, turned from elation to despondency.
—Katie Hafner, Scientific American, 31 Oct. 2024
Ultimately the day ended for the Bears with a new wave of anger, embarrassment and despondency.
—Dan Wiederer, Chicago Tribune, 29 Oct. 2024
He’s perched in front of jagged cliffs while hiking outside of Arles, France, a blue baseball cap pulled over his hair, cheeks extra-ruddy in the sun, his default affability tempered by a sense of despondency.
—Kate Knibbs, WIRED, 27 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for despondency 
Tim Spiers, The Athletic, 15 July 2024
Katie Hafner: The mood of the research team, Dora wrote, turned from elation to despondency.
—Katie Hafner, Scientific American, 31 Oct. 2024
Ultimately the day ended for the Bears with a new wave of anger, embarrassment and despondency.
—Dan Wiederer, Chicago Tribune, 29 Oct. 2024
He’s perched in front of jagged cliffs while hiking outside of Arles, France, a blue baseball cap pulled over his hair, cheeks extra-ruddy in the sun, his default affability tempered by a sense of despondency.
—Kate Knibbs, WIRED, 27 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for despondency
Recent Examples of Synonyms for despondency
Noun
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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
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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
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Organized theft is no petty crime; these are not one-off crimes of desperation or a mom lifting a can of formula to feed her baby.—
Cailey Locklair,
Baltimore Sun,
27 Jan. 2025
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That’s a Shawn Ryan [decision in the writing], and then my job is to act out that turmoil and choreograph the desperation and brutality.—
Max Gao,
The Hollywood Reporter,
25 Jan. 2025
Noun
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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
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Anxiety and depression: Jennie provides comfort and support for those struggling with mental health issues.—
Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report,
Fox News,
24 Jan. 2025
Noun
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That night, there was a mood of dismay in the dining hall.—
Sheila Heti,
The New Yorker,
19 Jan. 2025
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Warner was not the only Democrat to express dismay over Turner’s ouster.—
Alexander Bolton,
The Hill,
16 Jan. 2025
Noun
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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
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Richard Engel Reporting from Jerusalem In Israel, there is a feeling of melancholy.—
Jennifer Jett,
NBC News,
17 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Teams and athletes farther removed from the figure skating world took to social media Thursday to express words of sorrow and sympathy.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
31 Jan. 2025
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Her name brings profound joy and hope & her passing leaves painful tears and sorrow.—
Natalie Neysa Alund,
USA TODAY,
31 Jan. 2025
Noun
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There’s a lot of doom and gloom around the state of film criticism, especially as it’s become democratized by social media.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
17 Jan. 2025
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Do not let despair or doom and gloom put you into a catatonic funk.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes,
17 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near despondency
Cite this Entry
“Despondency.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/despondency. Accessed 3 Feb. 2025.
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