Despondently: meaning, definitions and examples

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despondently

 

[dษชหˆspษ’ndษ™ntli ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Adverb

feeling

In a way that shows a lack of hope or courage; disheartened.

Synonyms

dejectedly, dispiritedly, hopelessly.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
despondently

Used when someone feels a deep sense of sadness and loss of hope, often looking defeated.

  • He walked despondently towards the bench, unsure of what to do next.
  • She sighed despondently, the weight of her failures pressing down on her.
dejectedly

Used when someone feels sad and left out, usually after a disappointment or rejection.

  • He sat dejectedly in the corner after his team lost the game.
  • She looked dejectedly at the ground, her hopes dashed.
dispiritedly

Used when someone feels a lack of spirit or enthusiasm, often after a setback or discouraging event.

  • She headed back to her room dispiritedly, not wanting to talk to anyone.
  • They dispiritedly packed up their things after hearing the bad news.
hopelessly

Used when someone feels there is no possibility of improvement or escape from a difficult situation. It has a strong negative connotation.

  • He looked at the broken machine hopelessly, convinced it couldn't be fixed.
  • She tried to find a solution but felt hopelessly lost in her thoughts.

Examples of usage

  • She looked at him despondently, knowing that there was no way out of this situation.
  • He sighed despondently as he realized the gravity of the mistake he had made.
Context #2 | Adverb

behavior

In a way that reflects low spirits or a sense of hopelessness.

Synonyms

gloomily, mournfully, sorrowfully.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
despondently

When someone feels a deep loss of hope or confidence, usually due to a setback or disappointment.

  • Sarah looked despondently at her failed test paper.
  • He walked away despondently after hearing the bad news.
mournfully

In situations involving grief or sorrow, usually due to a loss or a sad event.

  • He looked mournfully at the photograph of his late grandmother.
  • The dog howled mournfully after its owner's departure.
sorrowfully

When someone feels or expresses deep sadness, often because of regret or a painful experience.

  • She gazed sorrowfully out the window, thinking about her mistakes.
  • He spoke sorrowfully about the time he lost his childhood friend.
gloomily

When describing a situation or demeanor that is dark, depressing, or lacking hope.

  • The sky was covered in clouds, and the day progressed gloomily.
  • She spoke gloomily about the future of the project.

Examples of usage

  • She walked despondently, dragging her feet along the path.
  • He spoke despondently, his voice filled with resignation.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word comes from the Latin 'despondere,' meaning 'to give up' or 'to promise away.'
  • It combines the prefix 'de-' which indicates removal, with 'spondere,' meaning 'to promise or pledge.'
  • The term emerged in English during the late 16th century, reflecting a deeper understanding of emotional states.

Psychology

  • Despondency is often linked with depression, where a person may feel a profound sense of despair.
  • Over time, this emotional state can affect cognitive functions, making it harder to think clearly or make decisions.
  • It is recognized in therapy that addressing feelings of despondency involves rebuilding hope through small, tangible goals.

Literature

  • Despondently appears in classic literature, often used to illustrate a character's deep emotional turmoil.
  • In Shakespeare's works, characters sometimes express despondent feelings to emphasize tragic circumstances or personal failures.
  • Modern novels continue to explore despondency, often as a theme for character development and resilience.

Art

  • Many artists have depicted despondency in their works, using dark colors and heavy themes to convey feelings of despair.
  • Edvard Munchโ€™s famous painting 'The Scream' is often associated with existential angst and despondent emotions.
  • Art therapy frequently uses creative expression to help individuals process feelings of despondency and find healing.

Pop Culture

  • Songs across genres often capture the essence of despondency, resonating with listeners who feel lost or alone.
  • In movies, characters may go through despondent phases before finding a path to hope and recovery.
  • Popular media sometimes portrays despondency as a stepping stone to personal growth and overcoming challenges.

Translations

Translations of the word "despondently" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น desalentadamente

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เค‰เคฆเคพเคธ เคนเฅ‹เค•เคฐ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช niedergeschlagen

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ dengan putus asa

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะทะฝะตะฒั–ั€ะตะฝะพ

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ przygnฤ™biony

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ่ฝ่ƒ†ใ—ใฆ (rakutan shite)

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท dรฉpitรฉ

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ desalentadamente

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท รผmitsizce

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ๋‚™๋‹ดํ•˜์—ฌ (nakdamhayeo)

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุจุดูƒู„ ูŠุงุฆุณ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ sklesle

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ skleslo

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ๆฒฎไธงๅœฐ (jว”sร ng de)

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ potrt

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ vonleysislega

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ าฏะผั–ั‚ัั–ะทะดะตะฝั–ะฟ

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒ“แƒ”แƒžแƒ แƒ”แƒกแƒ˜แƒฃแƒšแƒแƒ“

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ รผmidsizcษ™sinษ™

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ desalentadamente

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #35,311, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.