1
as in desperate
feeling or showing no hope
after four days and still no word that the missing plane had been located, the relatives were despondent
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in depressed
feeling unhappiness
feeling despondent over the death of another close friend
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of despondent
One half of Wembley was despondent and increasingly empty.
—
Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2025
Most of his teammates had departed for the buses, leaving behind an empty, despondent locker room.
—Kelly Iko, New York Times, 29 Apr. 2025
James Austin Johnson played a despondent President Donald Trump, akin to Jason Isaacs' Timothy Ratliff, as Chloe Fineman took on Parker Posey's show accent to play Melania Trump.
—Jillian Sederholm, EW.com, 13 Apr. 2025
Does her despondent demeanor and null motivation make Elsa herself an ideal pick to surrender her life?
—Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 11 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for despondent
Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2025
Most of his teammates had departed for the buses, leaving behind an empty, despondent locker room.
—Kelly Iko, New York Times, 29 Apr. 2025
James Austin Johnson played a despondent President Donald Trump, akin to Jason Isaacs' Timothy Ratliff, as Chloe Fineman took on Parker Posey's show accent to play Melania Trump.
—Jillian Sederholm, EW.com, 13 Apr. 2025
Does her despondent demeanor and null motivation make Elsa herself an ideal pick to surrender her life?
—Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 11 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for despondent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for despondent
Adjective
-
Racing is in desperate need of stars and the chase for the Triple Crown is one way of getting them.—
John Cherwa,
Los Angeles Times,
6 June 2025
-
In this story, the baby was in desperate need of nourishment, so the mother ran between two hills seven times to try to procure water for the baby.—
Monica Haider,
CNN Money,
6 June 2025
Adjective
-
What would Georgia wear in her most depressed state?—
Hedy Phillips,
People.com,
16 June 2025
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That can put them on edge and heighten their separation anxiety, Langan said, and if their owners are depressed or grief-stricken about loss and uncertainty, the animals absorb those emotions too.—
Steve Lopez,
Los Angeles Times,
14 June 2025
Adjective
-
Those who are convinced they’re trapped stay helpless and hopeless.—
Amy Morin,
CNBC,
12 June 2025
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In a world where the powerful increasingly act with impunity, taking fictional villains to task makes sense, a form of Hollywood wish fulfillment for those who feel stuck or hopeless.—
Whitney Friedlander,
Los Angeles Times,
11 June 2025
Adjective
-
Additionally, the more fiscally conservative Senate is increasingly unhappy with the cost of the bill, which is estimated to add $3.1 trillion to the deficit over the next decade.—
Kelly Phillips Erb,
Forbes.com,
10 June 2025
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Trump is unhappy with Musk’s outburst, but Republicans are downplaying the effect on their agenda bill Trump confirmed their relationship has soured, with Musk repeatedly blasting the president’s sweeping domestic agenda bill in recent days and a public fight on social media on Thursday.—
Matt Egan,
CNN Money,
6 June 2025
Adjective
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To some, this may sound bizarre, laughable, or even just plain sad.—
Melissa Fleur Afshar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 June 2025
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Banks: There’s a reason why the theater [symbol] is a happy face/sad face.—
Lorraine Ali,
Los Angeles Times,
7 June 2025
Adjective
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The second track on the LP told the story of a heartbroken barmaid pining after a sailor who refused to give up his nomadically maritime lifestyle for her.—
Josh Weiss,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2025
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Courtesy of Lionsgate The heartbroken little girl with the ballerina music box will grow up to be Ana de Armas’ Eve Macarro, a young woman bent on—what else?—avenging her father’s murder.—
Stephanie Zacharek,
Time,
6 June 2025
Adjective
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Meanwhile, in Germany, Avi tries to fill the hole left by Margarita’s absence with a trip of his own, embarking on a personal journey, both hope-inducing and despairing.—
Troy McMullen,
ABC News,
8 June 2025
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So Far Obscure philosophies The manifesto’s author pulled together various references to obscure philosophies in order to flesh out his ideas, indicating a mindset shaped by a confused amalgamation of toxic and despairing internet subcultures.—
Miles Klee,
Rolling Stone,
20 May 2025
Adjective
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The day started again, but a second voice joined the miserable monologue, pushing me to plant beets instead of flowers.—
Zackery Cuevas,
PC Magazine,
8 June 2025
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The win vaulted Miami from sixth to third in MLS standings and felt like a turning point— not just a singular game, but a season statement after a miserable May.—
Kaitlyn Pohly,
Miami Herald,
1 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Despondent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/despondent. Accessed 20 Jun. 2025.
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