Despondence — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun /di-ˈspän-dən(t)s/ de·spon·dence

Meaning & Definition of Despondence

Despondence (noun)

  1. despondency

Despondence (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a state or spell of low spirits

    "her slumping posture betrayed a growing despondence"

    similar: blue devils, blues, dejection, depression, desolation, despond, despondency, disconsolateness, dispiritedness, doldrums, dolefulness, downheartedness, dreariness, dumps, forlornness, gloom, gloominess, glumness, heartsickness, joylessness, melancholy, miserableness, mopes, mournfulness, oppression, sadness, sorrowfulness, unhappiness
    related: melancholia, self-pity, anguish, dolor, grief, mourning, somberness, sorrow, woefulness, agony, distress, pain, misery, woe, wretchedness, discouragement, disheartenment, moodiness, despair, desperation, hopelessness, self-despair, boredom, ennui, tedium, dismalness, drear, morbidness, moroseness, morosity, regret, rue
    opposite: bliss, blissfulness, ecstasy, elatedness, elation, euphoria, exhilaration, exuberance, exultation, felicity, gladness, gladsomeness, happiness, heaven, intoxication, joy, joyfulness, joyousness, jubilation, rapture, rapturousness
    near: gaiety, gayness, glee, gleefulness, humor, jollity, joviality, lightheartedness, merriment, mirth, mirthfulness, cheer, cheerfulness, cheeriness, hopefulness, optimism, sunniness, content, contentedness, contentment, satisfaction, delight, gratification

  2. utter loss of hope

    "the ability to endure defeat without despondence has allowed him to weather the ups and downs of an acting career"

    similar: despair, desperation, despond, despondency, forlornness, hopelessness, slough of despond
    related: blue devils, blues, dejection, depression, desolation, disconsolateness, dispiritedness, doldrums, dolor, downheartedness, dreariness, dumps, gloom, gloominess, joylessness, melancholy, mopes, oppression, sadness, sorrow, unhappiness, self-despair, self-pity, dolefulness, mournfulness, sorrowfulness, woefulness, agony, distress, pain, misery, woe, wretchedness, cynicism, pessimism, acceptance, resignation
    opposite: hope, hopefulness
    near: cheer, cheerfulness, sunniness, optimism, gaiety, glee, gleefulness, jollity, joviality, lightheartedness, merriment, mirth, mirthfulness, bliss, blissfulness, ecstasy, elatedness, elation, euphoria, exhilaration, exuberance, exultation, gladness, happiness, joy, joyfulness, joyousness, jubilation, rapture, rapturousness

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Despondence

The most common words with a similar meaning to Despondence:

blue devils, blues, dejection, depression, desolation, despond, despondency, disconsolateness, dispiritedness, doldrums, dolefulness, downheartedness, dreariness, dumps, forlornness, gloom, gloominess, glumness, heartsickness, joylessness, melancholy, miserableness, mopes, mournfulness, oppression, sadness, sorrowfulness, unhappiness, despair, desperation, hopelessness, slough of despond

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Despondence

Words with the opposite meaning of Despondence:

bliss, blissfulness, ecstasy, elatedness, elation, euphoria, exhilaration, exuberance, exultation, felicity, gladness, gladsomeness, happiness, heaven, intoxication, joy, joyfulness, joyousness, jubilation, rapture, rapturousness, hope, hopefulness

Related Words for Despondence

melancholia, self-pity, anguish, dolor, grief, mourning, somberness, sorrow, woefulness, agony, distress, pain, misery, woe, wretchedness, discouragement, disheartenment, moodiness, self-despair, boredom, ennui, tedium, dismalness, drear, morbidness, moroseness, morosity, regret, rue, cynicism

Near Antonyms of Despondence

gaiety, gayness, glee, gleefulness, humor, jollity, joviality, lightheartedness, merriment, mirth, mirthfulness, cheer, cheerfulness, cheeriness, optimism, sunniness, content, contentedness, contentment, satisfaction, delight, gratification

Origin & Etymology of Despondence

First known use: 1657

Frequently Asked Questions about Despondence

What does "Despondence" mean?

"Despondence" means despondency. As a noun, it is defined as: despondency. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Despondence"?

Other words for "Despondence" include blue devils, blues, dejection, depression, desolation, despond, despondency and disconsolateness. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Despondence" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Despondence"?

There are 65 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Despondence". Common alternatives include blue devils, blues, dejection, depression, desolation, despond, despondency, disconsolateness, dispiritedness and doldrums.

What is the opposite of "Despondence"?

Antonyms of "Despondence" include bliss, blissfulness, ecstasy, elatedness, elation, euphoria, exhilaration and exuberance. Near antonyms include gaiety, gayness, glee and gleefulness.

How do you use "Despondence" in a sentence?

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".

Is "Despondence" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Despondence" is a noun.

How do you pronounce "Despondence"?

"Despondence" is pronounced /di-ˈspän-dən(t)s/ and divided into syllables as de·spon·dence.

What is the origin of the word "Despondence"?

First known use: 1657.