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
Example 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
And speaking of tariffs, President Trump’s incoming administration has spread alarm and despondency with its scattergun references to possible tariff barriers.
—
Neil Winton, Forbes, 5 Jan. 2025
Jesus’ despondency in the teaser marks a stark contrast to those rejoicing with palm leaves in the air.
—Erin Jensen, USA TODAY, 25 Nov. 2024
A certain viewer could, of course, judge Benny for refusing to grow up, and dismiss his despondency as the self-centeredness of a child.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 17 July 2024
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
See All Example Sentences for despondency
Neil Winton, Forbes, 5 Jan. 2025
Jesus’ despondency in the teaser marks a stark contrast to those rejoicing with palm leaves in the air.
—Erin Jensen, USA TODAY, 25 Nov. 2024
A certain viewer could, of course, judge Benny for refusing to grow up, and dismiss his despondency as the self-centeredness of a child.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 17 July 2024
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
See All Example Sentences for despondency
Recent Examples of Synonyms for despondency
Noun
-
This is really just, across America, giving folks that maybe feel a lot of despair across this first month an outlet to feel heard and understood and comforted by like-minded individuals.—
Meghan Bartels,
Scientific American,
25 Feb. 2025
-
Their opulent investment in wages for Lorenzo Insigne has royally backfired, costing Bill Manning his job last summer and digging the Reds into a deep pit of despair for the past couple of years.—
Jeff Rueter,
The Athletic,
21 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
When guests arrive in town with a plan that will uproot Junie’s life, her act of desperation wakes Minnie’s spirit from the grave, also unveiling horrifying secrets about Bellereine.—
Clare Mulroy,
USA TODAY,
21 Feb. 2025
-
Their swollen limbs, skeletal frames, and mewling cries of desperation are what keep me awake at night.—
Jennifer Furin,
TIME,
19 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
The fear of deportation can lead to significant mental health problems for immigrants and their loved ones, ranging from conditions like anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder to a loss of trust in others and social isolation.—
Kristina Fullerton Rico,
The Conversation,
19 Feb. 2025
-
The overwhelming majority are for people with terminal illnesses, mostly cancer, with a smaller number for people who have other nonterminal conditions that cause acute suffering — such as neurodegenerative disease or intractable depression.—
Stephanie Nolen,
New York Times,
16 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Townsend was adjudged to have fouled Richie Saunders, to the dismay of the vocal home crowd.—
Ben Morse,
CNN,
24 Feb. 2025
-
Much to the dismay of proud Gen X viewers, many do.—
Mara Reinstein,
The Hollywood Reporter,
24 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
In her new book, Black in Blues: How a Color Tells the Story of My People, Perry explores blue as a symbol of both hope and melancholy throughout Black history.—
Tonya Mosley,
NPR,
28 Jan. 2025
-
The Elephant Man is an elegant picture, one of Lynch’s most straightforward and touching films—but even then, the joyful melancholy of its visual poetry is distinctly his own.—
Stephanie Zacharek,
TIME,
16 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Residents gathered in Hostages Square, outside Israel's defense headquarters, as sorrow set in across the country.—
Chris Kenning,
USA TODAY,
20 Feb. 2025
-
The sorrows of the women are also narrativized with poignancy and emotionality.—
Ritesh Mehta,
IndieWire,
17 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Some experts think stories about climate issues don’t all have to be doom and gloom The question is, how can movies and TV shows that depict climate change spur viewers into action, or even to just become more climate aware, without scaring them?—
Dan Heching,
CNN,
20 Feb. 2025
-
The young lead has a wonderfully magnetic presence, veering between youthful frolic and pensive gloom, even though the film rarely creates circumstances where the latter makes sense.—
Siddhant Adlakha,
Variety,
18 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Despondency.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/despondency. Accessed 2 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share