Vocabulary in context
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Despondent
Feeling or showing a loss of hope; disheartened and discouraged.
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Imagine This
Won’t you feel hopeless if no one responds to your 911 call, while your kitchen is on fire?
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Sounds Like
dih-SPOND-uhnt
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Looks Like
de-spond-ent; resembles 'respond' with a de- prefix meaning down and the common -ent suffix.
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Remember This
The noun form is despondency and the adverb is despondently. This word describes mood rather than a physical state.
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Other Forms
despondencynoun
despondentlyadverb
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Connect With
dejected, discouraged, downcast, crestfallen, hopeless
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Note
Despondent describes deep, prolonged discouragement; it is typically used with about, over, or at. Do not confuse with 'despond' (verb) which is rarer or archaic in modern usage.
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Study Deeper
Examples
- She grew despondent after receiving multiple rejections from colleges.
- The team sat in despondent silence as the clock ticked down.
Synonyms
dejecteddiscourageddowncastcrestfallenhopeless
Antonyms
hopefuloptimisticbuoyantconfident
Etymology
From Latin despondēre, de- (down) + spondēre (to promise, pledge). The sense evolved from 'to give up hope' to 'downcast' in English.
Mnemonic
Mnemonic: De- (down) + SPOND (sounds like 'respond') + -ent. When there is no response, you are down and despondent.
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Similar Words
Related words and words with the same part of speech.
Abstruse
adjectiveDifficult to understand; obscure or highly complex.
Accidental
adjectiveHappening by chance or without deliberate planning; not intended. In music, it is also a noun for a symbol that temporarily alters a pitch.
Acerbic
adjectiveSharp or biting in tone or taste; caustic or mordant in manner.
Acquiescent
adjectiveReady to agree or approve without protest; compliant.
Adamant
adjectiveRigid in opinion or purpose; not willing to change one's mind or position.
Adept
adjectiveHaving or showing a high level of skill or proficiency; very capable.
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