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
Examples 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
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
Juniper Hills resident Diane Swick, 60, transitioned from joy to despondency quickly in early August.
—Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for 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
Juniper Hills resident Diane Swick, 60, transitioned from joy to despondency quickly in early August.
—Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for despondency
Recent Examples of Synonyms for despondency
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
That night, there was a mood of dismay in the dining hall.—
Sheila Heti,
The New Yorker,
19 Jan. 2025
-
Warner was not the only Democrat to express dismay over Turner’s ouster.—
Alexander Bolton,
The Hill,
16 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
Noun
-
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
-
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 30 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share