What does despondency mean?
Despondency is a noun denoting a state of low spirits marked by the loss of hope, confidence, or courage. It describes dejection that is more than passing sadness: a person in despondency has stopped expecting things to improve. The word is formal or literary in register, appearing frequently in narrative prose, journalism, and psychological writing — as when a defeated army succumbs to despondency, or an unemployed worker sinks into it after repeated setbacks. It commonly pairs with verbs of descent, such as 'sink into' or 'plunge into', reflecting how the feeling is experienced as a downward pull. Its connotations are serious and sombre; it sits between ordinary gloom and outright despair in intensity. Etymologically it comes from the Latin 'despondere', meaning to give up or lose heart, literally to renounce a promise. A close relative, the adjective 'despondent', is more frequent in everyday speech, making despondency a valuable word for naming prolonged, hope-draining discouragement with precision.
nounA state of low spirits caused by loss of hope or confidence; deep dejection and discouragement.
- A state of profound dejection and loss of hope or courage.
"After months of rejected applications, she sank into a quiet despondency that even good news could not lift."
"A wave of despondency swept through the team after their third consecutive defeat."
"He wrote to his brother admitting that he had fallen into despondency over the failure of his business."
Rarely used; the plural appears only in literary or rhetorical contexts referring to recurring episodes or varied forms of dejection.
"The diary records the alternating hopes and despondencies of his final year."
Despondency literally means 'away from the promise' — the ancient Romans pictured it as breaking a pledge made to yourself about the future.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of despondency
Despondency derives from the Latin verb 'despondere', formed from 'de-' (indicating reversal or loss) and 'spondere' (to promise or vow). In classical Latin the compound meant to promise away or give up in marriage, but its later sense of giving up heart passed into English usage in the late sixteenth century, with 'despondency' attested by the early seventeenth century. The same Latin root 'spondere' also produced English words such as 'sponsor', 'spouse', and 'respond', all carrying the underlying notion of a solemn pledge or answer.
Related word forms
How despondency is actually used
Despondency is a formal or literary word, common in written English rather than casual conversation. It carries a stronger and more sustained connotation than mere sadness — it implies hopelessness that has settled in — but is less extreme than utter despair. It typically appears in phrases describing someone sinking into, falling into, or struggling against this state.
Easily confused with despondency
Despondency is a passive state of hopeless dejection, while desperation implies urgent, frantic action arising from despair.