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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Example Sentences
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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
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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
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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
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With the Heat entering Saturday in seventh place in the Eastern Conference and four games behind the sixth-place Detroit Pistons for the East’s final playoff spot that doesn’t require having to go through play-in, the standings have helped create that level of desperation.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
2 Mar. 2025
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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,
1 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Prolonged, elevated cortisol levels or chronic stress can disrupt these processes, leading to inflammation, chronic pain, depression, and even the progression of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.2 Cortisol levels are meant to slowly decline throughout the day.—
Caitlin Pagán,
Verywell Health,
28 Feb. 2025
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It's being leveraged across industries, from automating routine tasks to addressing challenges like C-suite depression and burnout.—
Julian Hayes II,
Forbes,
28 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Townsend was adjudged to have fouled Richie Saunders, to the dismay of the vocal home crowd.—
Ben Morse,
CNN,
24 Feb. 2025
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Much to the dismay of proud Gen X viewers, many do.—
Mara Reinstein,
The Hollywood Reporter,
24 Feb. 2025
Noun
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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
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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
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Residents gathered in Hostages Square, outside Israel's defense headquarters, as sorrow set in across the country.—
Chris Kenning,
USA TODAY,
20 Feb. 2025
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The sorrows of the women are also narrativized with poignancy and emotionality.—
Ritesh Mehta,
IndieWire,
17 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Joanne Hsu, surveys of consumers director for the university, said consumers aligned with independent and Democratic parties have more doom and gloom than their Republican counterparts, accounting for the shift down.—
Meghan Hall,
Sourcing Journal,
4 Mar. 2025
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But any doom and gloom as fashion week approached did not deter the most passionate fans, whose eclectic attire in and outside shows nodded to London’s sartorial tradition of bucking convention.—
Simbarashe Cha,
New York Times,
26 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Despondency.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/despondency. Accessed 9 Mar. 2025.
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