• Today's Word

Despondent

dih-SPON-dent

Definition

(adjective) In low spirits from loss of hope or confidence.

Example

After weeks of job rejections, he grew increasingly despondent.

From Latin despondere (“to give up”), “despondent” reflects emotional surrender—more serious than mere sadness. It’s often used to describe periods of grief, depression, or deep discouragement. In literature, despondent characters often face turning points that test their resilience.