How Do You Spell DESPONDENCE?

Pronunciation: [dɪspˈɒndəns] (IPA)

Despondence is a noun that refers to a state of feeling low and hopeless. The word is pronounced as /dɪˈspɒndəns/ (di-SPON-dəns). The spelling of the word follows English pronunciation rules in which the letter "e" at the end of a word often softens the preceding consonant sound. In this case, "despondence" ends with an "-ence" suffix, which is pronounced as "-əns" (uhs). Therefore, the "d" is softened to "də" (duh) in the phonetic transcription.

DESPONDENCE Meaning and Definition

  1. Despondence is a noun that refers to a state of feeling extreme sadness, hopelessness, or dejection. It is often characterized by a lack of motivation, a pessimistic outlook, and a general sense of despair.

    When one is in a state of despondence, they may feel overwhelmed by negative emotions and have a difficult time finding joy or meaning in life. This feeling of despair can be caused by various factors such as personal setbacks, failures, or losses, as well as external circumstances like societal issues or global events.

    Despondence is different from ordinary sadness or disappointment in that it typically involves a more profound and lingering feeling of hopelessness. People who are experiencing despondence often struggle to see a way out of their current situation or believe that things will get better in the future.

    Being in a state of despondence can have a significant impact on an individual's mental and emotional well-being. It may lead to a loss of interest in activities they once enjoyed, a decrease in social interactions, and even physical symptoms such as fatigue, insomnia, or changes in appetite.

    While despondence is a normal reaction to challenging circumstances, it is important to seek support and professional help when it becomes overwhelming or starts interfering with daily functioning. Treatment options such as therapy, counseling, or medication can be helpful in managing and alleviating despondence.

  2. Cessation of effort with the loss of hope; dejection of the mind; melancholy.

    Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Common Misspellings for DESPONDENCE

Etymology of DESPONDENCE

The word "despondence" is derived from the noun "despondency" which in turn comes from the adjective "despondent". "Despondent" originated from the Latin word "despondēre", meaning "to lose courage" or "to despair". This Latin term is formed by combining the prefix "de-" (meaning "down") and "spondēre" (meaning "to pledge" or "to promise"). Hence, "despondence" is the noun form of "despondency", which refers to a state of dejectedness, despair, or loss of hope.

Similar spelling words for DESPONDENCE

Plural form of DESPONDENCE is DESPONDENCES

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