Skip to main content
despondent

despondent

18 7.7
Feeling very sad and without hope about the future
  • adjective
  • /dɪˈspɒndənt/
translation icon : desanimado
  • As a result, we often become despondent and forget that we can engage in this global linkup.
  • feel despondent
  • become despondent
  • returned despondent

In retrospect, it feels despondent and destitute and sad and alone.

Autoplay Next

Examples

  • We say goodbye to him, wish him well, try to act a bit despondent over this entire sad little episode.

    Fiction book (1995)
  • Well, he didn't come home last night, and... he's been very despondent since his brother's death.

  • I just feel despondent about all of this.

  • A woman lost her husband earlier this year, despondent over the loss, and so on.

    Fiction book (1994)
  • I'm a little despondent about that.

  • And Stuart was obviously drunk and despondent, and perhaps had been so for days.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • There had been some speculation that, despondent over her lover's death, she had committed suicide.

    Fiction book (1998)
  • On the other side of the street, Domingo passed by, head lowered, with a despondent air.

    Fiction book (1996)
  • The world is still the same, he sighs, not knowing if he feels relieved or despondent.

    Fiction book (2000)
  • After losing her job, she felt increasingly despondent about her future.

Synonyms

sad
vsdespondent
1.0

Feeling unhappy or upset because of something

is stronger, involving loss of hope and courage rather than mere sadness
depressed
vsdespondent
441 3.5

Feeling very sad and without hope

is milder, focusing on discouragement rather than extreme prolonged sadness
low
vsdespondent
336 1.0

Feeling sad or without energy

is stronger, involving specific loss of hope and courage rather than mild sadness
melancholy
vsdespondent
37 5.9

Feeling or showing deep sadness

is more tied to losing hope or courage rather than just sadness
gloomy
vsdespondent
29 2.5

Feeling sad and without much hope

is more specifically about deep discouragement and loss of courage
down
vsdespondent
  • Informal
24 6.7

Feeling sad or unhappy

is more serious and intense, showing deep loss of hope and courage
glum
vsdespondent
23 4.1

Looking or feeling sad and quiet

is deeper, focusing on real loss of hope rather than quiet sadness
bummed
vsdespondent
  • Informal
16 7.5

Feeling sad or disappointed about something

is more severe and lasting, indicating true loss of hope and courage
sorrowful
vsdespondent
14 3.6

Feeling very sad because of loss or disappointment

is more focused on losing hope and courage rather than just sorrow
desolate
vsdespondent
11 6.7

Feeling very unhappy and alone after a loss

is more about loss of hope and courage than being alone or abandoned
downbeat
vsdespondent
8 4.4

Feeling sad and not very hopeful

is more intense, expressing deeper loss of hope and courage
discouraged
vsdespondent
7 3.4

Feeling less confident and hopeful because of problems

is more severe, involving a deeper loss of hope and courage
abject
vsdespondent
  • Formal
7 7.7

Showing or feeling complete defeat and no hope

is milder, indicating deep discouragement without total surrender or submission
heartsick
vsdespondent
6 6.3

Feeling very sad because of loss or disappointment

is more about general hopelessness and courage loss rather than only sorrow
dejected
vsdespondent
5 4.5

Feeling very sad and not hopeful

is more focused on deep loss of hope and courage
disheartened
vsdespondent
5 4.2

Feeling less hopeful and confident after a disappointment

is more deeply dejected, showing longer lasting loss of courage
dispirited
vsdespondent
5 5.4

Feeling sad and without hope

is deeper, involving stronger dejection and loss of courage
crestfallen
vsdespondent
5 7.5

Sad and disappointed because what you hoped for did not happen

is more general loss of hope and courage beyond a single disappointment
despairing
vsdespondent
4 4.6

Feeling very hopeless and sad

is less absolute, showing deep discouragement but not total despair
downcast
vsdespondent
3 4.7

Feeling sad and without much hope

is deeper, showing stronger loss of hope and courage
demoralized
vsdespondent
2 5.2

Feeling sad and lacking confidence to keep trying

is less about lost morale and more about deep dejection and hopelessness
disconsolate
vsdespondent
  • Literature
2 8.2

Very sad and not able to be comforted

is more about loss of hope rather than being utterly unable to be comforted
downhearted
vsdespondent
1 4.1

Feeling sad and without much hope

is more extreme, indicating deeper dejection and loss of courage
heavy-hearted
vsdespondent
1 5.4

Feeling very sad and weighed down inside

is more about giving up hope and courage rather than general sorrow
in low spirits
vsdespondent
3.9

Feeling sad and without energy

is stronger and shows a clearer loss of hope and courage
deflated
vsdespondent
4.6

Feeling less confident and hopeful after a disappointment

is more enduring and deeper, showing stronger loss of hope and courage

Antonyms

426 3.2

Expecting good things to happen in the future

111 1.0

Happy in a way you show with a smile or friendly actions

More confident and willing to try after getting support

How Discouraged

despairing
4 4.6
despondent
18 7.7
downhearted
1 4.1
down
  • Informal
24 6.7

Surface Forms

despondent positive

Morphology

despondent = despond (transparent) = despond + ent

Formed regularly from the verb 'despond' with the adjectival suffix '-ent', giving the expected meaning 'characterized by despondence'.

Etymology

Despondent comes from Latin parts de- meaning 'away' and spondere meaning 'to promise'. You can see the same root in sponsor, someone who promises help. So, despondent means feeling you have 'given up a promise' or lost hope, which is why it means being very discouraged.