as in to depress
to make sad
nothing dejects a TV pundit more than the reality check that nobody cares what he thinks
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Recent Examples of deject
Vice President Kamala Harris appears to prioritize winning back Arab American and Muslim voters who were dejected by President Joe Biden’s handling of war in the Middle East over courting the Jewish voter.
—
Morgan Phillips, Fox News, 7 Oct. 2024
It’s been a dejecting homestand for Baltimore, which was coming off a 5-1 road trip against AL East foes Toronto and New York.
—Nathan Ruiz, Baltimore Sun, 31 May 2023
Once again dejected, Kendall was left communing with some body of water, the motif that has followed him throughout the series.
—Matthew Gilbert, BostonGlobe.com, 29 May 2023
Sims-Fewer didn’t seem dejected, though, putting a positive spin on things.
—Christiaan Hetzner, Fortune, 16 May 2023
Head coach Mike Budenholzer, voice fading and dejected, evaded the idea that free throws, or lack thereof, were to blame solely for the loss though.
—Journal Sentinel, 27 Apr. 2023
Belinda, feeling dejected, ended up throwing her business plan away.
—Sydney Bucksbaum, EW.com, 19 Apr. 2023
The explorers, down to 19 weary and dejected men, hastily buried Paixão, then resignedly returned to their portage.
—Larry Rohter, Smithsonian Magazine, 3 Apr. 2023
Many feel dejected because Biden has been unable to make good on a campaign pledge to bolster voting rights and are eager to see his administration keep the issue in the spotlight.
—CBS News, 5 Mar. 2023
Morgan Phillips, Fox News, 7 Oct. 2024
It’s been a dejecting homestand for Baltimore, which was coming off a 5-1 road trip against AL East foes Toronto and New York.
—Nathan Ruiz, Baltimore Sun, 31 May 2023
Once again dejected, Kendall was left communing with some body of water, the motif that has followed him throughout the series.
—Matthew Gilbert, BostonGlobe.com, 29 May 2023
Sims-Fewer didn’t seem dejected, though, putting a positive spin on things.
—Christiaan Hetzner, Fortune, 16 May 2023
Head coach Mike Budenholzer, voice fading and dejected, evaded the idea that free throws, or lack thereof, were to blame solely for the loss though.
—Journal Sentinel, 27 Apr. 2023
Belinda, feeling dejected, ended up throwing her business plan away.
—Sydney Bucksbaum, EW.com, 19 Apr. 2023
The explorers, down to 19 weary and dejected men, hastily buried Paixão, then resignedly returned to their portage.
—Larry Rohter, Smithsonian Magazine, 3 Apr. 2023
Many feel dejected because Biden has been unable to make good on a campaign pledge to bolster voting rights and are eager to see his administration keep the issue in the spotlight.
—CBS News, 5 Mar. 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deject
Verb
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For all the inherent sadness of its subject matter, Mouse is never depressing, thanks to the delicacy of O’Sullivan and Thompson’s filmmaking.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
13 Feb. 2026
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As labor supply remains weak, demand is also being depressed by elevated policy uncertainty and past over-hiring, with AI adoption poised to weigh on payrolls too.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Bortolleto said she was troubled by the ICE raids of Connecticut car washes last year in Southington and Hamden.—
Sean Krofssik,
Hartford Courant,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Her career hiatus coincided with the termination of her conservatorship – which lasted nearly 14 years – in November 2021, following a case that brought intense scrutiny to her personal life and troubled past and also prompted a movement led by longtime fans.—
Anthony Robledo,
USA Today,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
With many people around the world fighting for their freedom, Dallas’ historical cemetery stands as an example of how a group of people who were historically oppressed and enslaved could become free and prosperous.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
31 Jan. 2026
-
The resultant impunity means people turn to alternative structures for protection, from vigilantes to the very criminals that oppress them.—
Obi Anyadike,
semafor.com,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
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And that’s how the forward ended up under a too-bright light at the end of this season, burdened with the unfortunate responsibility of being one of the few players the front office felt was worth investing in long term.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Rising housing costs, property taxes and living expenses continue to burden working families and seniors.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The Pentagon worries that an expanding Chinese arsenal could be a prelude to invading Taiwan or an attempt to beat America's missile defenses, Panda said.—
Geoff Brumfiel,
NPR,
11 Feb. 2026
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Other recent departures underscore the tension between some researchers worried about safety and top executives eager to generate revenue.—
Allison Morrow,
CNN Money,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
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They might also be saddened that 250 years after declaring independence from a tyrannical British king, the American system of government has arguably less democratic accountability for its leaders than the British one.—
Idrees Kahloon,
The Atlantic,
8 Feb. 2026
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As someone who loves reading novels, I'm saddened by this.—
Meg Walters,
Glamour,
3 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Deject.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deject. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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