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despondency

or de·spond·ence

[ dih-spon-duhn-see or dih-spon-duhns ]

/ dɪˈspɒn dən si or dɪˈspɒn dəns /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR despondency ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

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

Words nearby despondency

despiteful, despiteous, despoil, despoliation, despond, despondency, despondent, despot, despotic, despotic monarchy, despotism

Origin of despondency

First recorded in 1645–55; despond + -ency

SYNONYMS FOR despondency

melancholy, gloom.

SEE SYNONYMS FOR despondency ON THESAURUS.COM

ANTONYMS FOR despondency

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OTHER WORDS FROM despondency

pre·de·spond·en·cy, noun

synonym study for despondency

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for despondence

Yet we see in her not a moment's hesitation, we hear from her no expression of doubt or the least despondence.
Memoir of Mary L. Ware, Wife of Henry Ware, Jr.|Edward B. Hall
Theological notions appear to have been made to debase him, to contract his mind, to plunge him into despondence.
The System of Nature, Volume 2|Paul Henri Thiery (Baron D'Holbach)
She became thin, her appetite entirely failed, and she looked the image of despondence.
Adeline Mowbray|Amelia Alderson Opie
Yet there is no good in despondence: vigilance and activity often effect more than was expected.
The Works of Samuel Johnson, Vol. 6|Samuel Johnson

But, notwithstanding his declaration of despondence on this head, his imagination involuntarily teemed with more agreeable ideas.
The Adventures of Peregrine Pickle, Volume I|Tobias Smollett

The
2019 WORD
OF THE YEAR is...