despondency

[ dih-spon-duhn-see ]

/ dɪˈspɒn dən si /

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noun

state of being despondent; depression of spirits from loss of courage or hope; dejection.

OTHER WORDS FOR despondency

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The rainy weather could not ________ my elated spirits on my graduation day.

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Also de·spond·ence

[dih-spon-duhns] /dɪˈspɒn dəns/ .

First recorded in 1645–55; despond + -ency

pre·de·spond·en·cy, noun

“Nothing changes for gay men,” sighs the writer, his voice now tinged with more despondence than any sort of wit.
Hollywood’s Gay Powerati Are Fuming|Kevin Sessums|November 11, 2008|DAILY BEAST
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.
The Orchard of Tears|Sax Rohmer
Yet it was not in Alan Fairford's nature to give way to despondence, even when seconded by pain.
Red Gauntlet|Sir Walter Scott