dejected
Americanadjective
adjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of dejected
Explanation
If you're ejected from an important game, you're going to feel dejected. If you're rejected by the love of your life, you'll feel dejected again. Dejected goes beyond down––it's having given up hope. "After the theater was burned down by Mrs. Jud, the deranged school secretary, the drama students were too dejected even to sing "Pore Jud is Daid" from Oklahoma, the only song that might have made them feel better."
Vocabulary lists containing dejected
Dissed List: Breakup Words for Valentine's Day
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
The SAT: Words to Capture Tone, List 3
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
The Giver
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Early this month, a dejected Betts had as tough a time explaining to reporters why, despite hitting the ball hard and stacking disciplined at-bats, he’d had little to show for it.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 16, 2026
They’re a stark contrast to Bonnie’s dejected demeanor whenever the girls from her dance class make fun of her for still playing with toys when they’ve all moved on to tablets.
From Salon ● Jun. 21, 2026
Embassy in Bujumbura, Burundi, she watched anxiously as applicant after applicant left dejected.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 25, 2026
After that it was all the American, who reeled off 10 straight games as Medvedev imploded, cutting a dejected figure.
From Barron's ● Jan. 25, 2026
“That’s what I thought,” May said, turning up her nose at the dejected, sarcastic imp.
From "Half Upon a Time" by James Riley
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
