despondent
Meaning: In low spirits from loss of hope or courage; deeply discouraged and disheartened.
Despondent implies a loss of hope rather than mere sadness — the person has given up expecting improvement. It is stronger than 'disappointed' but less extreme than 'despairing.' The noun form is 'despondency.' Common collocations include 'growing despondent,' 'increasingly despondent,' and 'despondent about the future.' It is frequently used in news reporting about people facing setbacks.
Examples
- He grew increasingly despondent after months of applying for jobs without receiving a single interview. 连续数月投递简历却没有收到一次面试邀请后,他越来越沮丧。Se fue desanimando cada vez más tras meses enviando solicitudes de empleo sin recibir una sola entrevista.何か月も求職活動を続けたが面接の機会すら得られず、彼はますます意気消沈していった。몇 달간 구직 활동을 계속했지만 면접 기회조차 얻지 못하자, 그는 점점 더 의기소침해져 갔다.
- The team looked despondent as they trudged off the pitch following their fifth consecutive defeat. 球队在遭遇五连败后,垂头丧气地走出球场。El equipo se mostraba abatido al abandonar el terreno de juego tras su quinta derrota consecutiva.5連敗を喫した後、チームはうなだれてピッチを後にした。5연패를 당한 후, 팀은 풀이 죽은 채 경기장을 빠져나갔다.
- She refused to become despondent, insisting that every rejection brought her one step closer to finding the right publisher. 她拒绝气馁,坚持认为每一次退稿都让她离找到合适的出版商更近了一步。Se negó a desanimarse, insistiendo en que cada rechazo la acercaba un paso más a encontrar al editor adecuado.彼女は落ち込むことを拒み、一つ一つの不採用がふさわしい出版社を見つけることへの一歩近づきだと言い張った。그녀는 낙담하기를 거부하며, 거절당할 때마다 적합한 출판사를 찾는 데 한 걸음 더 가까워지는 것이라고 주장했다.
Pronunciation
Usage Guide
Context: journalism, general, literary
Tone: neutral
Origin & History
From Latin 'despondens,' present participle of 'despondere' meaning to give up or lose heart, from 'de-' (away) and 'spondere' (to promise or pledge). Entered English in the 17th century.
Cultural Context
Era: Modern
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
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