DESPONDENT

[de.spon.dent] adj [L despondent-, despondens, prp. of despondere] (ca. 1699): feeling or showing extreme discouragement, dejection, or depression "~ about his health" -- de.spon.dent.ly adv syn despondent, despairing, desperate, hopeless mean having lost all or nearly all hope. despondent implies a deep dejection arising from a conviction of the uselessness of further effort "despondent about yet another rejection". despairing suggests the slipping away of all hope and often despondency "despairing appeals for the return of the kidnapped child". desperate implies despair that prompts reckless action or violence in the face of defeat or frustration "one last desperate attempt to turn the tide of battle". hopeless suggests despair and the cessation of effort or resistance and often implies acceptance or resignation "the situation of the trapped miners is hopeless".