despondent
Americanadjective
adjective
Synonym Usage
See hopeless.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of despondent
First recorded in 1690–1700; from Latin dēspondent-, stem of dēspondēns “giving up,” present participle of dēspondēre “to give up, lose heart, promise”; see despond
Explanation
If you are despondent, you are discouraged, very sad, and without hope. If you are depressed, you might describe your mood as despondent. This adjective is often followed by over or about: "He was despondent over the loss of his job." If you want a noun, use the words despondency or despondence. The adjective despondent is from Latin despondere, "to lose courage, give up," from the prefix de- ("from") plus spondere ("to promise"). The Latin words originally referred to promising a woman in marriage.
Vocabulary lists containing despondent
The New SAT: Words to Capture Tone
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Emotions on Display
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The SAT: Words to Capture Tone, List 8
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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.
These two strangers are both despondent and desperate.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 6, 2026
In this picture I am despondent, resentful, rageful.
From Slate ● Jul. 6, 2026
But this year there was not enough spring rain and its rice farmers are despondent.
From Barron's ● Jul. 4, 2026
Even the act of nourishment now feels despondent.
From Salon ● Jun. 3, 2026
From the VIP observation room, Teddy watched the despondent Mission Control Center.
From "The Martian" by Andy Weir
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
