1 despondence | Definition of despondence

despondence

noun
de·​spon·​dence | \ di-ˈspän-dÉ™n(t)s How to pronounce despondence (audio) \

Definition of despondence

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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

The date, though, will likely be remembered most vividly for the storming of the city’s legislative building by a small group of activists who sought to signal to the world their despondence over their city’s fate. Jiayang Fan, The New Yorker, "The Disillusion and Frustration of a New Generation is Fuelling Hong Kong’s Protests," 3 July 2019 The story takes place in one of the city’s public housing complexes, where a majority of the population still live today, cheek-by-jowl in micro apartments—amplifying the feelings of suffocation and despondence. Isabella Steger, Quartzy, "Six films to watch to understand what’s happening in Hong Kong," 24 July 2019 There’s an art to being bleak, doing it in such a way as to actually cheer up listeners as opposed to making them wallow in despondence. John Adamian, courant.com, "Decemberists Coming To College Street Music Hall," 2 June 2018 Tryout season doesn't have to be all elation or despondence. Eliza Mcgraw, chicagotribune.com, "It's tryout season. Here are lessons parents can help kids learn through this pressure-filled time.," 19 May 2018 A sense of fatigue and despondence has set in as White House officials wait for new balls to drop. Jill Colvin, The Seattle Times, "To Trump supporters, the real story is about leaks, sabotage," 19 May 2017 Kate Kingery, a Republican in Denver who sells sporting goods, has kept good relations with her Democratic friends, despite their despondence over the election. Sabrina Tavernise And Katharine Q. Seelye, New York Times, "Political Divide Splits Relationships — and Thanksgiving, Too," 15 Nov. 2016

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'despondence.' 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 despondence

1657, in the meaning defined above

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More from Merriam-Webster on despondence

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for despondence