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
Ultimately the day ended for the Bears with a new wave of anger, embarrassment and despondency.
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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
Juniper Hills resident Diane Swick, 60, transitioned from joy to despondency quickly in early August.
—Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2024
What’s most interesting about them is how their initial economic despondency justifies their ensuing amorality, and how materialism becomes a guiding principle since the Company has given them nothing else to believe in.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 8 Feb. 2024
See all Example Sentences for 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
Juniper Hills resident Diane Swick, 60, transitioned from joy to despondency quickly in early August.
—Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2024
What’s most interesting about them is how their initial economic despondency justifies their ensuing amorality, and how materialism becomes a guiding principle since the Company has given them nothing else to believe in.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 8 Feb. 2024
See all Example Sentences for despondency
Recent Examples of Synonyms for despondency
Noun
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Satan is harsh and hypnotic, romantic and self-pitying in his despair.Merve Emre, The New Yorker, 16 Dec. 2024
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The rest of the cast is excellent too, in both the showier roles — Quinto as Mark, plunged into despair; Woodley as Diana, devolving into derangement — and the quieter ones.Jesse Green, New York Times, 13 Dec. 2024
Noun
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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
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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
Noun
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How to prevent depression with aging, according to AARP BYDebra Whitman December 24, 2024 3 months ago Health Got COVID?Beth Greenfield, Fortune Well, 27 Dec. 2024
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Patients who took months of dance classes found their depression eased, a small study published recently in the Journal of Medical Internet Research says.Maureen Mackey, Fox News, 26 Dec. 2024
Noun
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After Lamar was named the Apple Music Super Bowl Halftime Show headliner, other musicians expressed their dismay that Lil Wayne was not selected as well, including Nicki Minaj, Birdman, Master P, Cam’ron, and Mase.Mankaprr Conteh, Rolling Stone, 17 Dec. 2024
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Each of our 10 resulting selections is a triumph of alchemy, deriving insight from fresh combinations of dismay and delight, tragedy and comedy, mourning and hope.The Atlantic, The Atlantic, 4 Dec. 2024
Noun
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But the Christmas–New Year’s setting adds a nice touch of melancholy to the proceedings.Bob Sassone, Vulture, 17 Dec. 2024
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But over the course of the pair’s tour of Poland to visit their late grandmother’s ancestral home, Benji’s flippant manner keeps dissolving to reveal internal conflict and profound melancholy.David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Those little eyebrows pinched in sorrow or remorse?Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 19 Dec. 2024
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Because, Linford says, while sorrow is real, the final word is joy.Jason DeRose, NPR, 18 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Despite predictions of doom and gloom and the odd technology issue on the website, there is no doubt that the website still runs well.Adam Fayed, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024
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Republicans, after years of doom and gloom, are feeling great about the economy again.Matt Egan, CNN, 9 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near despondency
Cite this Entry
“Despondency.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/despondency. Accessed 31 Dec. 2024.
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