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Synonyms

dejected

American  
[dih-jek-tid] / dɪˈdʒɛk tɪd /

adjective

  1. depressed in spirits; disheartened; low-spirited.

    The dejected expression on the face of the loser spoiled my victory.

    Synonyms:
    miserable, unhappy, downhearted, dispirited, despondent, discouraged
    Antonyms:
    happy

dejected British  
/ dɪˈdʒɛktɪd /

adjective

  1. miserable; despondent; downhearted

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of dejected

First recorded in 1575–85; deject + -ed 2

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."

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Vocabulary lists containing dejected

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.

Meckler has been following the Angels since age 5 and remembers feeling dejected after attending the Angels’ 4-1 home loss to the Royals in Game 2 of the 2014 American League Division Series.

From Los Angeles Times • May 25, 2026

Embassy in Bujumbura, Burundi, she watched anxiously as applicant after applicant left dejected.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 25, 2026

"We've all experienced losses but everyone was really dejected after that," he said.

From BBC • Feb. 11, 2026

The world number three was crushed by the Ukrainian 6-1, 6-2 in the Melbourne quarter-finals and left centre court after the handshake cutting a dejected figure.

From Barron's • Jan. 27, 2026

The dejected doorman blew his nose loudly in a Westing Man-Sized Hankie.

From "The Westing Game" by Ellen Raskin

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