despondency

or de·spond·ence

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

/ dɪˈspɒn dən si or dɪˈspɒn dəns /

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noun

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

RELATED WORDS

grief, gloom, sadness, despair, depression

Nearby words

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.

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ANTONYMS FOR despondency

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Related forms

pre·de·spond·en·cy, noun

Synonym study

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

Examples from the Web for despondency

He sings angrily and directly to Anna about his feelings, his despondency, his pain—“Why do I have to pay attorney fees?!”
Kanye's Heartbreak|Touré|December 2, 2008|DAILY BEAST
Is it surprising that, philosopher as he was, he should have given way to grief and despondency.
Beacon Lights of History, Volume III|John Lord
Whatever his anguish or his despondency, none were permitted to share, or even to witness, his emotions.
Leila, Complete|Edward Bulwer-Lytton
His words were few; his despondency oppressed all who approached his bedside.
Ferdinand De Soto, The Discoverer of the Mississippi|John S. C. Abbott

Which of us have not had such moments of despondency in the face of a great task?
The Power of Womanhood, or Mothers and Sons|Ellice Hopkins
As for me, I was ready to sink deep into the ground with despondency, wishful to rise never more.
The Dew of Their Youth|S. R. Crockett