dejection

USAGE SUMMARY

'dejection' is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it to refer to a feeling of sadness, discouragement, or hopelessness. For example: "The team's loss filled her with dejection."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Just total dejection from Columbus.

The Guardian - Sport

Four days in and a sense of dejection and despondency is seeping through the halls.I'm jealous because an Australian journalist managed to get into the negotiating chambers yesterday.

The Economist

Plenty of Hong Kongers sound a note of dejection at the NPC proceedings—just as they do at the intimidating, wrought-iron fence that is quietly going up around Hong Kong's hitherto unenclosed government offices.In this section South Korea's meltdown Sun's shadow Borderline in Singapore All this, and a Korean election too Rotten boroughs The North talks, if the rest pay Strange wooing Reprints.

The Economist

It placed Britain above average in the happiness stakes, in a cluster of Anglophone countries that ranked just behind the sunny-natured Nordic countries, which topped the table.The survey identified a trend seen in other countries: young adults tend to be happy until a dejection descends in middle age.

The Economist

Common among the young and working class in Riyadh, a city he calls "a selective El Dorado where only a handful became rich", this state of dejection generates not merely ennui but a detached indifference which itself can be intoxicating and even revolutionary.Mr Menoret is made to feel tufshan by repeated rebuffs and obstacles to his work.

The Economist

At this moment of dejection, his home hopelessly broken, he met Marian Evans.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In dejection, unable to produce extended work or break the opium habit, he spent a long period with friends in Wiltshire, where he was introduced to Archbishop Robert Leighton's commentary on the First Letter of Peter.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Despite the dejection of a costly third successive home draw, Wenger is not ready to throw in the towel.

Independent

But, as it sometimes chanceth, from the might Of joys in minds that can no further go, As high as we have mounted in delight In our dejection do we sink as low.

Independent

After years of loyalty to the post-apartheid project in South Africa, increasing dejection about the lack of progress, especially empowering black people, is palpable.

Independent

Imagine to what dejection he must have sunk after having mounted in delight so high.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "dejection" to describe a state of low spirits or sadness that is more profound than simple unhappiness. It conveys a sense of discouragement and loss of hope.

Common error

Avoid using "dejection" when a simpler term like "sadness" or "unhappiness" suffices. "Dejection" implies a more significant and persistent emotional state.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "dejection" is as a noun, referring to a state or feeling of sadness and discouragement. It is often used as the object of a verb or the subject of a clause. According to Ludwig, this is a correct and usable word.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Encyclopedias

12%

Science

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "dejection" is a noun that describes a state of low spirits, discouragement, and sadness. As Ludwig AI states, it is grammatically correct and usable in written English. It's more profound than simple sadness, implying a sense of loss of hope. It appears frequently in News & Media, Encyclopedias, and Science contexts. When writing, use "dejection" to convey a significant and persistent emotional state, and avoid using it when a simpler term like "sadness" would suffice. Alternatives include "despondency", "melancholy", and "discouragement".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

despondency

Refers to a state of low spirits and loss of hope, similar to dejection but often implying a deeper sense of despair.

melancholy

Implies a pensive sadness, often with a tinge of longing or nostalgia, while dejection is more straightforwardly negative.

discouragement

Focuses on the loss of confidence or enthusiasm, a key element in the broader feeling of dejection.

despair

Conveys a complete loss of hope, a more intense and extreme version of dejection.

gloom

Suggests a pervasive sense of darkness and negativity, similar to the atmosphere created by dejection.

sadness

A general term for unhappiness, while dejection implies a deeper and more persistent state of low spirits.

downheartedness

Highlights the feeling of being dispirited and lacking enthusiasm, a key component of dejection.

low spirits

A more common and less formal way to describe the feeling of being dejected.

disheartenment

Focuses on the loss of spirit and motivation, similar to the impact of dejection.

hopelessness

Emphasizes the lack of positive expectations, a key aspect of feeling dejected.

FAQs

How can I use "dejection" in a sentence?

"Dejection" is typically used to describe a state of low spirits or sadness. For example, "The team's loss filled him with dejection" or "She struggled to shake off her feelings of dejection after the rejection".

What are some synonyms for "dejection"?

Synonyms for "dejection" include "despondency", "melancholy", "discouragement", and "gloom". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "dejection" a formal word?

"Dejection" is a somewhat formal word that implies a deeper and more persistent state of sadness than everyday terms like "sadness" or "unhappiness". It is appropriate for both writing and formal speech.

What is the difference between "dejection" and "depression"?

"Dejection" is a general feeling of sadness and discouragement, while "depression" is a recognized clinical mental health condition. While dejection can be a symptom of depression, they are not interchangeable terms.