despondence

noun

de·​spon·​dence di-ˈspän-dən(t)s How to pronounce despondence (audio)

Examples of despondence in a Sentence

her slumping posture betrayed a growing despondence the ability to endure defeat without despondence has allowed him to weather the ups and downs of an acting career
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
There’s a lingering despondence in his expression. Julius Miller, Los Angeles Times, 22 Jan. 2025 Democrats have already begun the autopsy on the election results as Harris supporters express a mix of outrage and despondence. Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 7 Nov. 2024 Emitting a combination of anger, frustration, and despondence, the University of Utah’s fifth-year junior quarterback was 15 minutes removed from throwing a back-breaking interception in the end zone that helped seal a 29-26 University of Florida win at The Swamp. Josh Newman, The Salt Lake Tribune, 4 Sep. 2022 My pandemic weariness turned into despondence. Los Angeles Times, 6 May 2021 Baade, who remembers his own father’s despondence when the Braves left town, doesn’t outright dismiss the idea that the Brewers could leave, agreeing that a smaller-market team is at a disadvantage. Jr Radcliffe, Journal Sentinel, 17 Feb. 2023 Amy's behavior demonstrates how scoring high in each of these components facilitates a flexible, confident and passionate approach to life and ensures a strong degree of resiliency when faced with anxiety, despondence and overwhelm. Roberta Moore, Forbes, 14 Feb. 2023 Cowboys owner Jerry Jones recalls his own quiet despondence when Dallas began the season not only with a loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers but a five-game loss of quarterback Dak Prescott to a thumb fracture. Dallas News, 30 Oct. 2022 Both question the human costs of work, zooming in on the affects—despondence, alienation, indifference—that businesses produce alongside goods and services. Stephen Kearse, The Atlantic, 15 Apr. 2022

Word History

First Known Use

1657, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of despondence was in 1657

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Cite this Entry

“Despondence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/despondence. Accessed 19 Apr. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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