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Definitions

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.

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

McGrath then trudged off to the other side of the course, despondent, lying in the snow in angry reflection.

From Barron's • Feb. 16, 2026

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

From BBC • Feb. 14, 2026

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

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 6, 2026

For the hours that Gogol is at nursery school, finger-painting and learning the English alphabet, Ashima is despondent, unaccustomed, all over again, to being on her own.

From "The Namesake" by Jhumpa Lahiri