despondency

/dɪˈspɑndɪnsi/

/dɪˈspɒndɪnsi/

Other forms: despondencies

Despondency is a sad emotional state — much like depression. If you're in a state of despondency, you're feeling hopeless and super bummed out.

Despondency is one of many emotional states that are not pleasant — it's a kind of extreme sadness. Stubbing your toe wouldn't trigger despondency, but the death of a family member or friend might. When people lose their jobs or experience failure, despondency can happen — they feel despondent. Despondency can include not only sadness, but feelings of hopelessness. It's a terrible way to feel, and it's not easy to get over it.

Definitions of despondency

1. noun

   feeling downcast and disheartened and hopeless
   synonyms: despondence, disconsolateness, heartsickness

   type of:

   depression

   sad feelings of gloom and inadequacy