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
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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
At what was supposed to be his final asylum hearing on March 20, Rodríguez Parra’s lawyer sounded despondent.
—
Melissa Sanchez, ProPublica, 18 July 2025
In May 2023, Kesha released Gag Order, a dark, despondent exploration of her trauma, with minimalist production from Rick Rubin and the image of the pop star with a blast bag over her head as its album artwork.
—Jason Lipshutz, Billboard, 3 July 2025
The prosecutors remained seated, subdued and by all appearances despondent.
—Daniel Arkin, NBC news, 2 July 2025
Gillan’s Felicia, who is both a despondent nurse and a lonely divorcée, nicely illustrates why.
—Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 5 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for despondent
Melissa Sanchez, ProPublica, 18 July 2025
In May 2023, Kesha released Gag Order, a dark, despondent exploration of her trauma, with minimalist production from Rick Rubin and the image of the pop star with a blast bag over her head as its album artwork.
—Jason Lipshutz, Billboard, 3 July 2025
The prosecutors remained seated, subdued and by all appearances despondent.
—Daniel Arkin, NBC news, 2 July 2025
Gillan’s Felicia, who is both a despondent nurse and a lonely divorcée, nicely illustrates why.
—Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 5 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for despondent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for despondent
Adjective
-
Parallel to this moment, Freddy Sodawallah (Manish Chaudhari), the seasoned and shrewd Bollywood producer who has been managing Aasmaan’s early career, and Jaraj Saxena (Rajat Bedi), a fading actor desperate for a comeback, investigate the truth on their own.—
Isadora Wandermurem,
Time,
18 Sep. 2025
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The government – desperate for good economic news before the November Budget – claims that investment will create some 7,600 jobs.—
Christian Edwards,
CNN Money,
18 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Because that’s the case, their actual margin opportunity is depressed.—
Evan Clark,
Footwear News,
15 Sep. 2025
-
This might be because people are a bit depressed.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
14 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Yerevan now found itself in a hopeless situation, bereft of any real allies, its military in tatters, and an increasingly bitter Armenian public.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
21 Sep. 2025
-
Showing such unwavering and hopeless devotion?—
Stephanie McNeal,
Glamour,
18 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Kybella can be used as an alternative to surgery for patients who are unhappy with fat under their chin, also known as submental fullness, and have not seen improvement with diet and exercise, according to the manufacturers.—
Alyssa Goldberg,
USA Today,
18 Sep. 2025
-
Folks felt exposed or excluded or some unhappy combination of both.—
Andrew Pasquier,
Them.,
18 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
As Malcolm and Henry prepare to return home, they are met with the sad news that Isaac Grant (Brian McCardie) has died, throwing Malcolm into a new leadership position.—
Maureen Lee Lenker,
Entertainment Weekly,
20 Sep. 2025
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Happy for her but selfishly sad.—
Maria Azzurra Volpe,
MSNBC Newsweek,
20 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Her family is heartbroken and devastated by this tragic loss.—
Angel Saunders,
PEOPLE,
19 Sep. 2025
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And utterly heartbroken for Charlie’s young family.—
Amanda Castro
Gabe Whisnant
Anna Commander
Toby Meyjes
Shane Croucher
John Feng
Joshua Rhett Miller,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Exhausted and despairing, many Palestinians had their own reasons for refusing to pack up and uproot themselves again.—
WAFAA SHURAFA,
Arkansas Online,
7 Sep. 2025
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People are despairing over the Supreme Court and its deference to the president.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
4 July 2025
Adjective
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Meanwhile, Jeremiah is miserable, has nowhere to live, and is trying to find meaning through meaningless flings.—
Olivia Petter,
Vogue,
16 Sep. 2025
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The Arizona Cardinals and head coach Jonathan Gannon made life miserable for Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young and head coach Dave Canales, from start to finish, Sunday at State Farm Stadium.—
DIAMOND VENCES,
Charlotte Observer,
14 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Despondent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/despondent. Accessed 22 Sep. 2025.
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