despondent

American  

[dih-spon-duhnt] / dɪˈspɒn dənt /

adjective

1. feeling or showing profound hopelessness, dejection, discouragement, or gloom.

   despondent about failing health.

   Synonyms:

   blue, melancholy, downhearted

   Antonyms:

   hopeful, happy

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despondent British  

/ dɪˈspɒndənt /

adjective

1. downcast or disheartened; lacking hope or courage; dejected

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Related Words

See hopeless.

Other Word Forms

• despondence noun
• despondency noun
• despondently adverb
• predespondent adjective
• quasi-despondent adjective
• quasi-despondently adverb
• undespondent adjective
• undespondently adverb

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”; despond

Example Sentences

That attitude “has pretty much vanished from British society,” Dr. Daniels says, and it makes him despondent.

From The Wall Street Journal

A measured Alcaraz was not overly despondent afterwards but has returned to Melbourne intent on winning.

From BBC

Not long ago, investors were despondent as stocks related to artificial intelligence pulled back on bubble fears and worries about potential overcapacity.

From Barron's

Increasingly despondent, he organised a park walk on social media.

From BBC

“I feel despondent about the City Council’s lack of interest in keeping places like this going and highlighting them as spots to be looked after and cared for.”

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• dejected
• discouraged
• disheartened
• forlorn
• glum
• morose
• sad