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
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.
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Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 8 Feb. 2024
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There was a sense of despondency at the FDA’s decision, especially among veteran communities where PTSD is prevalent.
—Olivia Goldhill and Meghana Keshavan, STAT, 9 Aug. 2024
While some industry politicos may have their preferences for VP, attention is still focused on the turnaround in enthusiasm from a month ago, when there was despondency and division in the donor class over Joe Biden’s prospects.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 5 Aug. 2024
On the national front, there is an air of despondency.
—Anita Chabria, Los Angeles Times, 19 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for despondency 
Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 8 Feb. 2024
Newsletters Sign up for Morning Rounds Understand how science, health policy, and medicine shape the world every day
Privacy Policy
There was a sense of despondency at the FDA’s decision, especially among veteran communities where PTSD is prevalent.
—Olivia Goldhill and Meghana Keshavan, STAT, 9 Aug. 2024
While some industry politicos may have their preferences for VP, attention is still focused on the turnaround in enthusiasm from a month ago, when there was despondency and division in the donor class over Joe Biden’s prospects.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 5 Aug. 2024
On the national front, there is an air of despondency.
—Anita Chabria, Los Angeles Times, 19 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for despondency
Recent Examples of Synonyms for despondency
Noun
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The song puts me in a state of deep despair — these haunting strings and ghostly pianos and synthesizers.Nate Sloan, Vulture, 12 Nov. 2024
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When the Great Depression hit in the early 1930s, Hitler and his followers were ready to take advantage of the German people’s despair and to focus their attention on a scapegoat—the political left and the Jews—as support for centrist political parties eroded.Christine Adams / Made by History, TIME, 5 Nov. 2024
Noun
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In what’s widely seen as a sign of desperation, the junta announces mandatory conscription for all men between 18 and 35 years old and all women between 18 and 27.Koh Ewe, TIME, 1 Nov. 2024
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And it is driven largely out of desperation on both sides of the relationship, analysts told NBC News.Matthew Bodner, NBC News, 30 Oct. 2024
Noun
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Musk has spoken openly in the past about his use of prescription Ketamine, an anesthetic that has gained interest from doctors and researchers for its potential to treat depression and anxiety.Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 5 Nov. 2024
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Depression High added sugar intake can lead to fluctuations in blood sugar levels, resulting in mood swings, irritability, and fatigue, which may worsen feelings of depression.Lauren Panoff, MPH, RD, Verywell Health, 4 Nov. 2024
Noun
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To Lue’s dismay, the Clippers started poorly against the San Antonio Spurs on Monday, falling behind by 26 points in the first quarter, their defense getting torched amid seven turnovers.Broderick Turner, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2024
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Quasi provoked both delight and dismay on social media after its reveal in August 2019.Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2024
Noun
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To say more about the plot would spoil the film too much, but Ryder is really a chameleon, flickering between quiet melancholy, genuine affection, and darker, more selfish concerns, and the rotoscoping art style accentuates the expressiveness of her face.Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 6 Sep. 2024
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At 78, Ferry reigns as the elder statesman of rock-star romantics, the king of elegant melancholy.Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 21 Oct. 2024
Noun
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Johnny Rockets Drown any potential sorrows in a free milkshake with an in-store purchase.Chris Morris, Fortune, 5 Nov. 2024
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Many of those recollections contain notes of sorrow.Lisa Kennedy, The Denver Post, 24 Oct. 2024
Noun
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And the evening wasn’t all doom and gloom for the Wilson family.Andy Swift, TVLine, 24 Oct. 2024
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After two years of doom and gloom, digital health deals are showing signs of life, with venture capital firms making more focused bets and interest rate cuts rekindling some of the COVID-era optimism around the sector.Tina Reed, Axios, 22 Oct. 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Despondency.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/despondency. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
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