# despondent

/dɪˈspɑndənt/ (US) · /dɪspˈɒndənt/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/despondent
Updated: 2026-10-13

## Definition

feeling very sad and without much hope. You feel this way when you think a situation is so bad that it will never improve.

For teachers: feeling or showing extreme discouragement, dejection, or depression. Often used predicatively after linking verbs such as 'become', 'feel', or 'seem'.

## Examples

- He became despondent after he failed his driving test again.
- The team grew increasingly despondent as the clock ticked down and they remained three goals behind.
- Despite the initial setback, she refused to let the despondent mood of the office affect her own determination to see the project through to completion.

## Synonyms

hopeless, dejected, depressed, miserable, downcast

## Antonyms

hopeful, cheerful, optimistic

## Usage notes

- Often follows a linking verb; frequently paired with 'about' or 'over' to indicate the cause of the sadness.

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