despondent
Definitions
In very low spirits from a loss of hope or courage; deeply discouraged.
沮丧的，意志消沉的，绝望的。
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedde- (away, down) + spond (pledge) + -ent (adj.) = 'having given up one's pledge.' Latin dēspondēre meant both 'to promise away' and 'to lose heart, give up.' English kept the gloomy branch: a despondent person has surrendered hope — they no longer pledge anything to the future.
Root spond still carries 9 more wordsWhy It Means This
The link to the rest of the spond family is the original idea of a pledge. To despond is to 'pledge away' your hope — to give it up entirely. That is why despondent is stronger and bleaker than merely sad or down: it implies someone has stopped expecting things to improve, as if they have signed away the future.
Common Collocations
- 1.feel despondent感到沮丧
- 2.looking despondent看起来沮丧
- 3.deeply despondent深感沮丧
Example Sentences
- 1.
After losing his job, he grew increasingly despondent.
- 2.
She sounded despondent when the test results came back.
- 3.
Don't let one setback leave you despondent about the future.
Synonym Comparison
- despondent — deep, hopeless gloom; has given up
- depressed — clinical or sustained low mood; can be a medical state
- discouraged — milder; has lost confidence but may recover
- dejected — visibly downcast, especially after a specific defeat
- disheartened — has lost enthusiasm or motivation for a task