despondency

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "despondency" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a feeling of deep sadness and despair. Example: The despondency she felt after losing her job was overwhelming.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Seif's despondency is echoed by her brother, who sent a letter from prison on Christmas Eve.

The Guardian

The prospect of the government being forced to make unpalatable concessions, overhauling the pension system and eroding workers' rights, in addition to further taxes on property and goods, has been greeted with despondency and despair.

The Guardian

You can't get out of a crisis if there's despondency, and then it was different, everyone was trying to pull themselves together.

The Guardian

One can only imagine the despondency with which Australia's accomplished UN ambassador, Gary Quinlan, read into the record a three-paragraph "explanation" of Australia's position.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Do not talk of this to my father" he asks me, casting off his listless despondency as he contemplates his escape "but I am applying to become a policeman".

The Guardian

The volte-face was greeted with despondency and dismay by international campaigners.

The Guardian - Arts

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

The dominant feeling among liberal Russians in the wake of Mr Nemtsov's murder has been of despondency and emptiness.

The Economist

It also insists that an American-led fact-finding commission, which was set up with its consent, is postponed until the violence subsides.The general despondency is sharpened by a stark dissonance between how the Israelis perceive their army's behaviour and how they know the world sees it.

The Economist

A few religious mystics demonstrated their despondency by sticking swords through their more superfluous folds of flesh.

The Economist

The more the economic outlook is cloudy, the greater the incentive to wait.So politicians ought to think twice about spreading despondency.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "despondency", consider the intensity of the emotion you wish to convey. It suggests a significant loss of hope and can be impactful when describing serious situations or internal emotional states.

Common error

While "despondency" accurately describes profound sadness, it may sound overly dramatic if used to describe minor disappointments. Choose words like "disappointment" or "sadness" for less severe situations.

Linguistic Context

Despondency primarily functions as a noun, denoting a state or feeling. As Ludwig AI confirms, it accurately describes deep sadness and despair. Examples show it used to express widespread societal feelings or individual emotional states.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

71%

Encyclopedias

11%

Science

18%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "despondency" is a noun denoting a state of deep sadness and loss of hope, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It is grammatically correct and frequently used in news, media, and encyclopedic contexts to convey strong negative emotions or societal downturns. While synonyms like "hopelessness" and "dejection" exist, "despondency" carries a specific weight that makes it suitable for describing profound emotional states or serious situations. When using "despondency", consider the intensity you wish to convey, and avoid overusing it in casual contexts. The examples provided by Ludwig showcase its versatility in describing both individual and collective experiences of despair.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hopelessness

Focuses more on the lack of hope rather than the emotional state itself.

dejection

Emphasizes a feeling of being let down or disheartened.

discouragement

Highlights the loss of motivation or confidence.

disheartenedness

A more intense feeling of losing spirit or enthusiasm.

gloom

Refers more to a pervasive sense of darkness and negativity.

depression

Indicates a more prolonged and potentially clinical state of sadness.

dismay

Conveys a sense of shock and disappointment.

despair

Suggests a complete loss of hope, often more intense than "despondency".

dispiritedness

Highlights a loss of enthusiasm and energy.

melancholy

Indicates a more reflective and wistful sadness.

FAQs

What does "despondency" mean?

"Despondency" refers to a state of low spirits caused by loss of hope or courage; dejection.

How can I use "despondency" in a sentence?

You might say, "The constant rain filled him with "despondency"" or "She struggled to shake off her feelings of "despondency" after the bad news".

What are some synonyms for "despondency"?

Synonyms include "hopelessness", "dejection", and "discouragement". Each carries a slightly different shade of meaning.

When is it appropriate to use "despondency" instead of "sadness"?

"Despondency" implies a deeper and more pervasive feeling of hopelessness than simple "sadness". Use it when describing a more profound and lasting state of emotional distress.