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despond

[ dih-spond or, especially for 2, des-pond ]
/ dɪˈspɒnd or, especially for 2, ˈdɛs pɒnd /
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verb (used without object)
to be depressed by loss of hope, confidence, or courage.
noun
despondency.
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Origin of despond

1670–80; <Latin dēspondēre to give up, lose heart, promise, equivalent to dē-de- + spondēre to promise

OTHER WORDS FROM despond

de·spond·er, nounde·spond·ing·ly, adverbun·de·spond·ing, adjectiveun·de·spond·ing·ly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021

Words related to despond

surrender, sadden, dishearten, give up, lose heart

How to use despond in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for despond

despond
verb (dɪˈspɒnd)
(intr) to lose heart or hope; become disheartened; despair
noun (ˈdɛspɒnd, dɪˈspɒnd)
archaic lack of hope; despondency

Derived forms of despond

despondingly, adverb

Word Origin for despond

C17: from Latin dēspondēre to promise, make over to, yield, lose heart, from de- + spondēre to promise
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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