despondent

[dih-spon-duhnt] / dɪˈspɒn dənt /

ADJECTIVE

depressed

Synonyms

STRONGEST

dejected discouraged disheartened forlorn glum morose sad

WEAK

all torn up blue bummed out cast down despairing disconsolate dispirited doleful down downcast downhearted gloomy griefstricken grieving hopeless in a blue funk in despair in the pits low low-spirited melancholy miserable mourning shot down sorrowful woebegone wretched

Antonyms

STRONGEST

cheerful encouraged happy joyful

WEAK

elated hopeful spirited up

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.

The 44-year-old is a relaxed individual - the epitome of someone who does not get carried away by success or overly despondent by failure.

From BBC • Apr. 1, 2026

He was so despondent, his mother said, that she felt her only option was to allow them to be sent back to El Salvador, a country Edwin left when he was 5.

From Salon • Mar. 24, 2026

Guilty and despondent, Donatello retreats to his empty family estate in Tuscany, where Kenyon tries to counsel him.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 27, 2026

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 • Jan. 7, 2026

Garrett is despondent, just slumped in a corner.

From "Dry" by Neal Shusterman and Jarrod Shusterman

Vocabulary lists containing despondent

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