despond

1 of 2

verb

de·​spond di-ˈspänd How to pronounce despond (audio)
desponded; desponding; desponds

despond

2 of 2

noun

Examples of despond in a Sentence

Verb we must not despond even though we live in trying times Noun he sank into a crushing despond after his wife left him loss of his job threw him into a deep despond
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
The slough of Mardenborough's despond comes towards the end of the film when a crash at the Nürburgring results in the death of a spectator. Elana Scherr, Car and Driver, 11 Aug. 2023 Their partnership—in fighting Communism and reviving the U.S. economy after the despond of the 1970s—changed American debate. The Editorial Board, WSJ, 1 Oct. 2020 Animal spirits might buoy up markets again, or investors might sink back into the sort of despond that ended 2015, but sentiment currently offers little guide. James MacKintosh, WSJ, 20 Dec. 2018 On its best nights, the N.B.A. offers a free-jazz apex, as good teams (none of which are found within hundreds of miles of that basketball despond in New York City) offer jukes and passes and shooting. Michael Powell, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2016

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'despond.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Latin despondēre, from de- + spondēre to promise solemnly — more at spouse

First Known Use

Verb

1655, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1678, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of despond was in 1655

Dictionary Entries Near despond

Cite this Entry

“Despond.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/despond. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

despond

verb
de·​spond
di-ˈspänd
: to become discouraged
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