despondency
or de·spond·ence
[dih-spon-duhn-see or dih-spon-duhns]
- state of being despondent; depression of spirits from loss of courage or hope; dejection.
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Origin of despondency
Synonyms
See more synonyms for on Thesaurus.comSynonym study
See despair.
Antonyms
joy.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for despondency
Contemporary Examples
He sings angrily and directly to Anna about his feelings, his despondency, his pain—“Why do I have to pay attorney fees?!”
Historical Examples
Lucretia's defeat in the Handicap had increased his despondency.
ThoroughbredsW. A. Fraser
The Union army was still busy and he felt a few moments of despondency.
The Rock of ChickamaugaJoseph A. Altsheler
He thinks it is too late to change for any useful purpose, and he sinks into despondency.
BunyanJames Anthony Froude
There had been times in the last few days when he had suffered from despondency.
Cleo The MagnificentLouis Zangwill
Maurice awoke to a sensation of despondency and physical discomfort.
The DownfallEmile Zola
Word Origin and History for despondency
n.
1650s; see despondence + -cy.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper