1
as in desperate
feeling or showing no hope
after four days and still no word that the missing plane had been located, the relatives were despondent
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in depressed
feeling unhappiness
feeling despondent over the death of another close friend
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of despondent
Many described conditions as reminiscent of the McCarthy era, and were despondent to see how quickly their office’s leaders acquiesced.
—
Erica L. Green, New York Times, 25 Jan. 2025
Verse was despondent after the game and his self-talk was brutal.
—Jourdan Rodrigue, The Athletic, 17 Jan. 2025
But here’s why Biden shouldn’t be despondent: No one can say any of those three immediate predecessors saw their reputations unchanged after decamping from Washington.
—Philip Elliott, TIME, 13 Jan. 2025
Remigio’s youngest son thinks the victim, already despondent over the breakup of a two-year romantic relationship, committed suicide as a result of the home invasion.
—Ellen Moynihan, New York Daily News, 25 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for despondent
Erica L. Green, New York Times, 25 Jan. 2025
Verse was despondent after the game and his self-talk was brutal.
—Jourdan Rodrigue, The Athletic, 17 Jan. 2025
But here’s why Biden shouldn’t be despondent: No one can say any of those three immediate predecessors saw their reputations unchanged after decamping from Washington.
—Philip Elliott, TIME, 13 Jan. 2025
Remigio’s youngest son thinks the victim, already despondent over the breakup of a two-year romantic relationship, committed suicide as a result of the home invasion.
—Ellen Moynihan, New York Daily News, 25 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for despondent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for despondent
Adjective
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No, the problem is that Hart is terribly sad and even more lonely — almost desperate, in fact.—
David Opie,
IndieWire,
18 Feb. 2025
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One caveat was that other teams could become more desperate for pitching as spring goes on, which could mean the Padres are tempted by a return greater than they were offered during the offseason.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
17 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Today’s youth can feel depressed by the state of society while remaining incredibly sensitive, inventive, and caring.—
Ben Croll,
Variety,
15 Feb. 2025
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Man Shares Theory About Why Gen Z Are Depressed By Alice Gibbs Senior Life and Trends Reporter Newsweek Is A Trust Project Member news article 20 A 24-year-old marketing agency owner who lives in Tampa, Florida, has sparked discussion after sharing this theory about why Gen Z is depressed.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
15 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Is there a way out of our divided country’s seemingly hopeless predicament?—
Jackie Strause,
The Hollywood Reporter,
25 Feb. 2025
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People who find themselves in financial trouble sometimes consider taking drastic measures when their situation appears hopeless.—
Paulette Perhach,
New York Times,
23 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Many previous Trump advisers, including Mr. Bolton, have tried to contain Mr. Trump, with unhappy results.—
Michael Crowley,
New York Times,
21 Feb. 2025
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Among those unhappy with SDA were high-ranking officers in Space Force who believed it should be run by Space Systems Command, the main body within the service that develops satellites and other space systems, a former senior Air Force official told Forbes.—
Jeremy Bogaisky,
Forbes,
20 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Especially sad is the case of Netta, one of Liat’s three children, who survived the attack.—
Jordan Mintzer,
The Hollywood Reporter,
20 Feb. 2025
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But after a third season that saw Billy (Gil Bellows) strut around with a coterie of women from a Robert Palmer video before dropping dead of a brain tumor, this outing is remarkably grounded, poignant…and sad.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
19 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Boldt hired 300 workers to construct the six-story, 120-room castle outfitted with a drawbridge and tower, but when Louise died suddenly in 1904, the heartbroken Boldt halted construction and never returned to the island.—
Gulnaz Khan,
AFAR Media,
13 Feb. 2025
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There are similar Valentine’s Day opportunities geared toward the heartbroken.—
Megan Forrester,
ABC News,
12 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Bleak as that may sound, the musical finds rare shards of light — and an unlikely connection — in the most despairing of places.—
Peter Debruge,
Variety,
27 Jan. 2025
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American commentators have painted a bleak portrait of a nation collapsing into ever more distant and despairing silos.—
Faith Hill,
The Atlantic,
24 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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There’s no sugarcoating it: Being sick can be miserable.—
Amy Panos,
Better Homes & Gardens,
18 Feb. 2025
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The way McAvoy used his great stick and heavy body to make life miserable for Canadians, including his Bruins teammate, Brad Marchand.—
Michael Russo,
The Athletic,
16 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Despondent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/despondent. Accessed 1 Mar. 2025.
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