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Despondently: meaning, definitions and examples

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despondently

 

[dɪˈspɒndəntli ]

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.

Translations

Translations of the word "despondently" in other languages:

🇵🇹 desalentadamente

🇮🇳 उदास होकर

🇩🇪 niedergeschlagen

🇮🇩 dengan putus asa

🇺🇦 зневірено

🇵🇱 przygnębiony

🇯🇵 落胆して (rakutan shite)

🇫🇷 dépité

🇪🇸 desalentadamente

🇹🇷 ümitsizce

🇰🇷 낙담하여 (nakdamhayeo)

🇸🇦 بشكل يائس

🇨🇿 sklesle

🇸🇰 skleslo

🇨🇳 沮丧地 (jǔsàng de)

🇸🇮 potrt

🇮🇸 vonleysislega

🇰🇿 үмітсізденіп

🇬🇪 დეპრესიულად

🇦🇿 ümidsizcəsinə

🇲🇽 desalentadamente

Etymology

The word 'despondently' is derived from the adjective 'despondent', which comes from the Latin word 'despondēre', meaning 'to lose hope'. The suffix '-ly' is added to form the adverb 'despondently'. The term has been used in English literature to describe characters' emotions and behaviors in times of despair and hopelessness.

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.