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.

Amid global crises, economic instability, and the threat of climate change, many young people are feeling increasingly despondent.

From Slate • May 12, 2026

But they were not defeatist, and not despondent.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 27, 2026

Aviles told the San Antonio Express-News, which published the text messages first, that the relationship and the professional ostracization his wife faced after it was discovered led her to become despondent before her death.

From Salon • Feb. 25, 2026

It seems an entirely different space to the general despondent economic vibe across much of the country.

From BBC • Feb. 14, 2026

Regardless of what had been going on between us that day, deep down, none of us wanted Ruth to return home despondent, and at that moment we thought we were safe.

From "Never Let Me Go" by Kazuo Ishiguro

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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