DESPOND

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does despond mean? 

• DESPOND (verb)
  The verb DESPOND has 1 sense:

1. lose confidence or hope; become dejected

  Familiarity information: DESPOND used as a verb is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• DESPOND (verb)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Lose confidence or hope; become dejected

Classified under:

Verbs of feeling

Context example:

The supporters of the Presidential candidate desponded when they learned the early results of the election

Hypernyms (to "despond" is one way to...):

despair (abandon hope; give up hope; lose heart)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s

Derivation:

despondence; despondency (feeling downcast and disheartened and hopeless)

despondent (without or almost without hope)

 Context examples 

But I will endeavour to detail these bitter circumstances to you, my dear sister; and while I am wafted towards England and towards you, I will not despond.

(Frankenstein, by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley)

Don't despond, but hope and keep happy, said Mrs. March, as tenderhearted Daisy stooped from her knee to lay her rosy cheek against her little cousin's pale one.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)