despond
1 of 2verb
de·spond di-ˈspänd 
desponded; desponding; desponds
intransitive verb
: to become despondent
despond
2 of 2noun
: despondency
Synonyms
Verb
- despair
Noun
- blue devils
- blues
- dejection
- depression
- desolation
- despondence
- despondency
- disconsolateness
- dispiritedness
- doldrums
- dolefulness
- downheartedness
- dreariness
- dumps
- forlornness
- gloom
- gloominess
- glumness
- heartsickness
- joylessness
- melancholy
- miserableness
- mopes
- mournfulness
- oppression
- sadness
- sorrowfulness
- unhappiness
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Verb we must not despond even though we live in trying times Noun he sank into a crushing despond after his wife left him loss of his job threw him into a deep despond
Recent Examples on the Web
The Editorial Board, WSJ, 1 Oct. 2020 Animal spirits might buoy up markets again, or investors might sink back into the sort of despond that ended 2015, but sentiment currently offers little guide. James Mackintosh, WSJ, 20 Dec. 2018 Animal spirits might buoy up markets again, or investors might sink back into the sort of despond that ended 2015, but sentiment currently offers little guide. James Mackintosh, WSJ, 20 Dec. 2018 On its best nights, the N.B.A. offers a free-jazz apex, as good teams (none of which are found within hundreds of miles of that basketball despond in New York City) offer jukes and passes and shooting. Michael Powell, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2016
Noun
Their partnership—in fighting Communism and reviving the U.S. economy after the despond of the 1970s—changed American debate. The Editorial Board, WSJ, 1 Oct. 2020 Animal spirits might buoy up markets again, or investors might sink back into the sort of despond that ended 2015, but sentiment currently offers little guide. James Mackintosh, WSJ, 20 Dec. 2018 Animal spirits might buoy up markets again, or investors might sink back into the sort of despond that ended 2015, but sentiment currently offers little guide. James Mackintosh, WSJ, 20 Dec. 2018 On its best nights, the N.B.A. offers a free-jazz apex, as good teams (none of which are found within hundreds of miles of that basketball despond in New York City) offer jukes and passes and shooting. Michael Powell, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2016 Word History
Etymology
Verb
Latin despondēre, from de- + spondēre to promise solemnly — more at spouse
First Known Use
Verb
1655, in the meaning defined above
Noun
1678, in the meaning defined above
Phrases Containing despond
desponding
verb
as in despairing
to lose all hope or confidence we must not despond even though we live in trying times Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- despairing
- suffering
- grieving
- mourning
- sorrowing
- hurting
- losing heart
- discouraging
- bleeding
- agonizing
- surrendering
- saddening
- darkening
- giving up
- yielding
- dispiriting
- disheartening
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- exulting
- rejoicing
- brightening
- encouraging
- reassuring
- assuring
- cheering (up)
- hoping
- perking (up)
- heartening