1 dejection | Definition of dejection
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dejection

noun
de·​jec·​tion | \ di-ˈjek-shÉ™n How to pronounce dejection (audio) , dÄ“-\

Definition of dejection

: lowness of spirits
Synonyms & Antonyms Did You Know? Example Sentences Learn More about dejection

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Did You Know?

Based partly on the Latin iacere, "to throw", dejection means literally "cast down"—that is, "downcast". Like melancholy, gloom, and even sadness, dejection seems to have been declining in use for many years; instead, we now seem to prefer depression (whose roots mean basically "a pressing down"). Since depression is also the word used by doctors, lots of people now assume that anyone depressed should be taking an antidepressant; if we went back to dejected and dejection, we might not be so quick to make that assumption.

Examples of dejection in a Sentence

I find that ice cream often works wonders when trying to overcome dejection.

Recent Examples on the Web

 When reality sunk in the night before the Super Bowl that beloved defensive coordinator Buddy Ryan was preparing to coach his final game with the Bears, the dejection and sadness smothered the meeting room. — Dan Wiederer, chicagotribune.com, "‘Ooooh, the skulduggery!’: Inside the world of Steve McMichael, still one of the most colorful and beloved characters from the 1985 Bears," 26 Aug. 2019 His dejection was a direct result of the startling effect that a mere glimpse at Taliesin West provoked in him. — Fortune, "This Photographer Is Trying to Shoot All 431 Frank Lloyd Wright Buildings Around the World," 24 Aug. 2019 Boston sports teams’ embarrassment of riches and trophies don’t inure us from dejection or disappointment. — Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, "To many, the Bruins’ loss is a rebalancing of the sports universe," 15 June 2019 The mood in the Bruins locker room Wednesday night was one of devastation, dejection, and disappointment. — Nicole Yang, BostonGlobe.com, "‘I’ll never get over this’: Inside the Bruins locker room after Game 7," 13 June 2019 Darwin identified disgust in chimps, dejection in dogs, and grief in elephants. — David Scharfenberg, BostonGlobe.com, "Did humans drive this polar bear insane?," 13 July 2018 The Argentina superstar will end his career among the all-time greats of soccer, but after another major tournament ended in failure and dejection, the reality hit that his cupboard will remain empty of a World Cup trophy. — Martin Rogers, USA TODAY, "Messi comes up short again, new star arises as France eliminates Argentina at World Cup," 30 June 2018 After the game, NawaÅ‚ka, via Gazeta pomorska, revealed his dejection at the way his side had performed, before taking full responsibility for his side's shortcomings. — SI.com, "Poland Boss Adam NawaÅ‚ka Takes Full Responsibility Following Crushing 3-0 Defeat to Colombia," 25 June 2018 For all the disappointment and dejection of that day at Wembley back in 2016, a message was evoked from the very centre of the Palace end of the national stadium, a message that read 'This Mentality is Unstoppable'. — SI.com, "'This Mentality is Unstoppable': A Homage to That FA Cup Final Display and What it Means for Palace," 7 Feb. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'dejection.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of dejection

15th century, in the meaning defined above

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More Definitions for dejection

dejection

noun
How to pronounce dejection (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of dejection

: sadness that is caused by failure, loss, etc.

See the full definition for dejection in the English Language Learners Dictionary

dejection

noun
de·​jec·​tion | \ di-ˈjek-shÉ™n How to pronounce dejection (audio) \

Kids Definition of dejection

: a feeling of sadness

dejection

noun
de·​jec·​tion | \ -ˈjek-shÉ™n How to pronounce dejection (audio) \

Medical Definition of dejection

1 : lowness of spirits : depression, melancholy
2a : the act or process of defecating

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