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as in depressed
feeling unhappiness feeling despondent over the death of another close friend

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective despondent differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of despondent are despairing, desperate, and hopeless. While all these words mean "having lost all or nearly all hope," despondent implies a deep dejection arising from a conviction of the uselessness of further effort.

despondent about yet another rejection

Where would despairing be a reasonable alternative to despondent?

The words despairing and despondent can be used in similar contexts, but despairing suggests the slipping away of all hope and often despondency.

despairing appeals for the return of the kidnapped child

When would desperate be a good substitute for despondent?

The synonyms desperate and despondent are sometimes interchangeable, but desperate implies despair that prompts reckless action or violence in the face of defeat or frustration.

one last desperate attempt to turn the tide of battle

In what contexts can hopeless take the place of despondent?

While in some cases nearly identical to despondent, hopeless suggests despair and the cessation of effort or resistance and often implies acceptance or resignation.

the situation of the trapped miners is hopeless

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 despondent Ryan seemed particularly despondent after the fight during her interview with ESPN's Mark Kriegel, who scored the fight in her favor. Brian Mazique, Forbes, 28 Sep. 2024 Kenneth is despondent about his future until Corrina (Rebecca S’manga Frank), a waitress at Wally’s, tells him to apply for a job at one of the banks. Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 8 Oct. 2024 As a mother watching Palestinian children starved and obliterated, my instinct is to feel utterly despondent, to feel powerless to make change. Stefanie Fox, TIME, 8 Oct. 2024 Instead, Ravi sated his withdrawals by feeding his body more alcohol, giving way to a March whirlwind of blackouts, massive hangovers and despondent texts to friends. Max Blau, NPR, 22 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for despondent 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for despondent
Adjective
  • Las Vegas is in desperate need of stability at the quarterback position, having cycled through multiple quarterbacks in recent years.
    Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 25 Jan. 2025
  • What started as a good deed becomes a desperate fight to save Nate from his own demons.
    Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 24 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Trump’s high-end real estate ambitions with GOP connections Gen Z employees are stressed, depressed, and burnt out: Study Netflix keeps raising prices.
    Quartz Bot, Quartz, 22 Jan. 2025
  • The study also reveals that 46 percent of Gen Z felt stressed (compared to the 35 percent employee average), 35 percent felt depressed (compared to 20 percent average), 44 percent felt burned out (compared to 34 percent), and 30 percent felt isolated (compared to 22 percent).
    Jess Thomson, Newsweek, 17 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Limit Media Exposure Without Putting Your Head in the Sand Staying informed is essential for leaders, but constantly consuming the news can leave you feeling overwhelmed and hopeless.
    Amy Blankson, Forbes, 20 Jan. 2025
  • Collette plays Muriel, who escapes from her hopeless life via her devoted fandom to the Swedish supergroup.
    Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times, 17 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Ratings declined, Lynch was unhappy, and the show was canceled.
    Victoria Edel, People.com, 16 Jan. 2025
  • Saquon Barkley is an unstoppable force, the defense is resurgent under Vic Fangio, the chatter about an unhappy A.J. Brown has mostly died down.
    Dianna Russini, The Athletic, 16 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Air France regrets this sad event and expresses its sincere condolences.
    Michael D. Carroll AND Theo Burman, Newsweek, 15 Jan. 2025
  • But nothing in life is sadder than a reality television person who doesn't know when to retire.
    Dana Rose Falcone, People.com, 15 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • When Tai Shan was sent to China and separated from his parents, Nguyen was heartbroken.
    Christopher Cann, USA TODAY, 24 Jan. 2025
  • And now, a heartbroken mom has gone viral on TikTok, opening up about losing her 3-year-old daughter to invasive Strep A in 2022.
    Ashley Vega, People.com, 23 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Laughing, crying, praying, despairing, drinking, hoping, singing, and above all else, living.
    David Gauvey Herbert, The New Yorker, 25 Nov. 2024
  • Folks who see themselves in Mary’s desperation might view the film in more despairing terms, but this is perhaps Leigh’s most life-goes-on effort.
    Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 9 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • But for Israel and Gaza, the past 15 months have been a miserable failure, and from the perspective of negotiation, the only good news is that both sides taste some of the bitterness.
    Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 16 Jan. 2025
  • That faction left the stadium miserable after Daniels’ fifth touchdown pass, a 9-yarder to Jamison Crowder with six seconds remaining, capped a 22-point fourth quarter as Washington rallied for a 36-33 win.
    Ben Standig, The Athletic, 16 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near despondent

Cite this Entry

“Despondent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/despondent. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.

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