despondency

[ dih-spon-duhn-see ]
See synonyms for despondency on Thesaurus.com
noun
  1. state of being despondent; depression of spirits from loss of courage or hope; dejection.

Origin of despondency

1
First recorded in 1645–55; despond + -ency
  • Also de·spond·ence [dih-spon-duhns] /dɪˈspɒn dəns/ .

synonym study For despondency

See despair.

Other words for despondency

Opposites for despondency

Other words from despondency

  • pre·de·spond·en·cy, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use despondency in a sentence

  • “Nothing changes for gay men,” sighs the writer, his voice now tinged with more despondence than any sort of wit.

  • Mr. Tyrold now sat down, with an air between calmness and despondence, saying, 'And how has this come to pass?'

    Camilla | Fanny Burney
  • What a world of all feelings, which forbid despondence, lies hoarded in the hearts of the young!

    Eugene Aram, Complete | Edward Bulwer-Lytton
  • Those talks did her good, they set the real Humfrey before her, and braced her to strive against weakness and despondence.

    Hopes and Fears | Charlotte M. Yonge
  • From such lonely despondence as she had never known he had lifted her into a new and brighter world.

  • Yet it was not in Alan Fairford's nature to give way to despondence, even when seconded by pain.

    Red Gauntlet | Sir Walter Scott