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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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
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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
He’s got no home, no close family, no Wi-Fi for when Callie Rose comes by his new-to-him trailer with hopes of doing her homework on her iPad. O’Connor wears Dusty’s despondency like a heavy blanket, shoulders slumped and eyes cast toward the dirt beneath his feet.
—
Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 27 Jan. 2025
One day, her despondency was interrupted by a meeting with the chiefs of the Iroquois’ Six Nation Confederacy to honor her efforts to bring back the bald eagle.
—Grrlscientist, Forbes, 21 Jan. 2025
But with over 115,000 views, her message has struck a nerve among young professionals grappling with a growing sense of corporate despondency.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 30 Jan. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for despondency
Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 27 Jan. 2025
One day, her despondency was interrupted by a meeting with the chiefs of the Iroquois’ Six Nation Confederacy to honor her efforts to bring back the bald eagle.
—Grrlscientist, Forbes, 21 Jan. 2025
But with over 115,000 views, her message has struck a nerve among young professionals grappling with a growing sense of corporate despondency.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 30 Jan. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for despondency
Recent Examples of Synonyms for despondency
Noun
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Joe, a firefighter in real life, happily obliged but was no longer on the same tribe as Eva at her moment of despair.—
Marc Berman,
Forbes.com,
31 Mar. 2025
-
As the team left last weekend, there wasn’t a sense of despair.—
Cameron Teague Robinson,
New York Times,
27 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Their primary motivation for entering tentative talks over Gomez was desperation, due to their need to comply with the Premier League’s PSR by June 30.—
Chris Waugh,
New York Times,
28 Mar. 2025
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The White House has responded with a series of stunts — a live presidential endorsement on the South Lawn, the commerce secretary shilling for Tesla stock on Fox News, the FBI threatening vandals with terrorism charges — that all smack of desperation.—
Allison Morrow,
CNN,
25 Mar. 2025
Noun
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How the arts can create healthier communities According to thousands of studies, researchers have determined that involvement in the arts can improve public health and promote healing from illness, as well as protect against such problems as cognitive decline, heart disease, anxiety and depression.—
David Morgan,
CBS News,
27 Mar. 2025
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The majority of women take acetaminophen at some point during pregnancy, with more use among those with anxiety and depression, according to past research.—
Shiv Sudhakar,
FOXNews.com,
27 Mar. 2025
Noun
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The news quickly sent shockwaves through Washington, where officials and intelligence experts reacted with dismay and disbelief.—
Lex Harvey and Alex Stambaugh,
CNN Money,
26 Mar. 2025
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However, Stefani's post also appeared to antagonize, dismay and confuse some of her fans, who left critical comments on her post.—
Ashley Hume,
Fox News,
24 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Watching Thief, yes, we’re naturally mesmerized by its nocturnal compositions, its lovely sense of melancholy, its almost abstract robbery sequences filled with sparks and flames bursting off steel vaults.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
27 Mar. 2025
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Japanese Breakfast's Michelle Zauner embraces melancholy in new album The music of the indie rock band Japanese Breakfast is suffused with longing.—
NPR Staff,
NPR,
22 Mar. 2025
Noun
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The book, which spans the twenty-odd years of Mii’s life, describes the daily joys and intimacies of having a pet, the difficulties that come with an aging cat, and the sorrows of outliving one’s animal companion.—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
31 Mar. 2025
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Tomorrow is the day this profound sorrow renews my motivation.—
Bluesky Social,
Bluesky Social,
31 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Others predicted the federal government will remain a major employer locally and cautioned against premature doom and gloom.—
Jonathan Shorman and,
Kansas City Star,
19 Mar. 2025
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Shear acquits himself well with Sam’s starstruck regard of this famous and beautiful creature who’s inexplicably taken an interest in him, and then with his gloom when things go sour.—
Angie Han,
The Hollywood Reporter,
12 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Despondency.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/despondency. Accessed 11 Apr. 2025.
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