despond
Also found in: Thesaurus, Idioms.
Related to despond: sloughs of despond
de·spond
(dĭ-spŏnd′)intr.v. de·spond·ed, de·spond·ing, de·sponds
To become disheartened or discouraged.
n.
Despondency: "The outward show of fight masked a spreading inner despond at the White House" (Newsweek).
[Latin dēspondēre, to give up : dē-, de- + spondēre, to promise; see spend- in Indo-European roots.]
de·spond′ing·ly adv.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
despond
vb
(intr) to lose heart or hope; become disheartened; despair
n
archaic lack of hope; despondency
[C17: from Latin dēspondēre to promise, make over to, yield, lose heart, from de- + spondēre to promise]
deˈspondingly adv
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
de•spond
(dɪˈspɒnd or, esp. for 2, ˈdɛs pɒnd)v.i.
1. to be depressed by loss of hope, confidence, or courage.
n. 2. despondency.
[1670–80; < Latin dēspondēre to give up, lose heart, promise]
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
despond
Past participle: desponded
Gerund: desponding
| Imperative |
|---|
| despond |
| despond |
Collins English Verb Tables © HarperCollins Publishers 2011
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
Switch to new thesaurus
| Verb | 1. | despond - lose confidence or hope; become dejected; "The supporters of the Presidential candidate desponded when they learned the early results of the election" despair - abandon hope; give up hope; lose heart; "Don't despair--help is on the way!" |
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
despond
verbnounUtter lack of hope:
The American Heritage® Roget's Thesaurus. Copyright © 2013, 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.