despondency

[ dih-spon-duhn-see ]

noun

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

   Synonyms: gloom, melancholy

   Antonyms: joy

Other Words From

• pre·de·spond·en·cy noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of despondency¹

First recorded in 1645–55; despond + -ency

Synonym Study

See despair.

Example Sentences

The soldiers were prone to anorexia, despondency and bouts of weeping.

From Science News

It has shattered our routines and livelihoods, robbed us of our loved ones and plunged many into despondency.

From Science News

What lingers long after Hirori’s harrowing film ends, however, is bone-deep despondency over the ugliness of so much of the world, and the arduousness—and often futility—of striving to make any significant difference in the face of overwhelming evil.

From The Daily Beast

Rebekah could be a poster child for the current PhD despondency.

From The Daily Beast

He sings angrily and directly to Anna about his feelings, his despondency, his pain—“Why do I have to pay attorney fees?!”

From The Daily Beast

We recollect sharing in the despondency, and even despair, which paralysed our party.

From Project Gutenberg

She felt she had been childish and unwise the night before in giving herself over to despondency.

From Project Gutenberg

There was no despondency when she fell asleep that night; nor was there hope when she awoke in the morning.

From Project Gutenberg

From the councillors down to the humblest settlers all was despondency and discontent.

From Project Gutenberg

Her reins and her heart were all gone—was not that enough to cause those fits of despondency of which she complained?

From Project Gutenberg