despondent

adjective

di-ˈspän-dənt How to pronounce despondent (audio)
Definition of despondentnext
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

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

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 despondent One half of Wembley was despondent and increasingly empty. —Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2025 Most of his teammates had departed for the buses, leaving behind an empty, despondent locker room. —Kelly Iko, New York Times, 29 Apr. 2025 James Austin Johnson played a despondent President Donald Trump, akin to Jason Isaacs' Timothy Ratliff, as Chloe Fineman took on Parker Posey's show accent to play Melania Trump. —Jillian Sederholm, EW.com, 13 Apr. 2025 Does her despondent demeanor and null motivation make Elsa herself an ideal pick to surrender her life? —Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 11 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for despondent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for despondent
  1. desperate
  2. depressed
  3. hopeless
  4. unhappy
  5. sad
  6. heartbroken
  7. despairing
  8. miserable
Adjective
  • Ultimately, Ellie's desperate quest to avenge Joel led to another shocking death and no clear resolution heading into season 3.
    — Samantha Stutsman, People.com, 26 May 2025
  • The Western Conference Finals move to Minneapolis for Game 3 on Saturday night, where the desperate Timberwolves are slight home underdogs vs. the Thunder.
    — Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 May 2025
Definition of desperate
Adjective
  • That would increase to 40% for productions outside of the Los Angeles area, or in economically depressed areas of Los Angeles.
    — Gene Maddaus, Variety, 23 May 2025
  • In a depressed environment, where every effort is scrutinised, Moynat’s outing for 520 plays on the simple bond between pets and their owners, landing well.
    — Gemma A. Williams, Forbes.com, 20 May 2025
Definition of depressed
Adjective
  • The longtime psych-rock staple co-wrote the album with filmmaker Matt Yoka to be a collection of American stories about hopeless kleptomaniacs, urban explorers, and other people who slip through the cracks.
    — Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 30 May 2025
  • All seemed hopeless for Moore and Mansell, until, out of the blue, a lawyer with the Office of the White House Counsel contacted Moore’s defense lawyers, Seitles and Litwin-Diego, in April to inquire about the case.
    — Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 30 May 2025
Definition of hopeless
Adjective
  • Netflix In a recent interview with Harper's Bazaar, Ortega revealed that the massive success following 'Wednesday' actually left her unhappy.
    — Jeremy Hanna, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 May 2025
  • Reports suggested that Daltrey was unhappy with Starkey’s playing on the night, and a number of songs were cut short.
    — Thomas Smith, Billboard, 29 May 2025
Definition of unhappy
Adjective
  • Stewart is still thanked by gay fans by creating such a rare, highly visible (albeit sad) representation.
    — Jordan Hoffman, EW.com, 27 May 2025
  • My back hurt from that sad excuse for a chair (seriously, who designs dining chairs to feel like medieval torture devices?).
    — Renae Gregoire, Forbes.com, 27 May 2025
Definition of sad
Adjective
  • On the internet, though, he is deemed as the heartbroken, brooding type because ...
    — Stephanie Sengwe, People.com, 25 May 2025
  • Agudelo made it through surgery Wednesday to relieve pressure on her brain but only has a 1% chance of ultimately surviving, her heartbroken daughter told the Daily News Thursday.
    — Kerry Burke, New York Daily News, 22 May 2025
Definition of heartbroken
Adjective
  • The film necessarily presents a despairing view of America as its 20th-century glory days recede into the distance, but Schrader isn’t one to shirk away from some form of hope for his isolated priest.
    — Vikram Murthi, Vulture, 21 Jan. 2025
  • These lines represent Elisabeth at her most despairing.
    — Elizabeth Djinis, Smithsonian Magazine, 28 Apr. 2025
Definition of despairing
Adjective
  • The Angels left-hander began the season as one of their high leverage relievers, but a miserable outing in the season’s first week told him something wasn’t right.
    — Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 26 May 2025
  • Power wound up 19th, the highest-finishing Penske driver on a miserable day for the organization owned by Roger Penske.
    — Jenna Fryer, Hartford Courant, 25 May 2025
Definition of miserable

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Cite this Entry

“Despondent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/despondent. Accessed 7 Jun. 2025.

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