despondence

Duty and desire were equally urgent to be heard; he shrunk in utter despondence from the two objects that seemed to personify both, and retreated, to the utmost of his power, from the sight of either.

Camilla: or, A Picture of Youth 1796

These frequent returns of melancholy, sometimes of despondence, which is the lot of inexperienced genius, is a secret history of the heart, which has been finely conveyed to us by Petrarch, in a conversation with John of Florence, to whom the young poet often resorted when dejected, to reanimate his failing powers, to confess his faults, and to confide to him his dark and wavering resolves.

Literary Character of Men of Genius Drawn from Their Own Feelings and Confessions Isaac Disraeli 1807

As she walked along, seemingly incommoded by the burden, a young man met her, whose countenance expressed a deeper despondence.

Chapter 11 2010

However someday the despondence of the misery of your life will get the better of you and you will kill yourself doing the only decent thing of your pitiful life

Think Progress » Only One Republican Federal Lawmaker Has Spoken Out Against Arizona’s Draconian Immigration Law 2010

He would wake up with renewed spirits, but soon gave way to despondence, recognizing, after all these were only wishful dreams escaping into the cold reality of day.

Curly’s Fiddle Judith Lawrence 2011

I was in reality the monster that I am, I was filled with the bitterest sensations of despondence and mortification.

Chapter 12 2010

It asks whether psychiatrists or sociologists are used to measure a worker's relative happiness as a means to gauge trustworthiness and whether they consider despondence or grumpiness as a sign of waning trustworthiness.

WikiLeaks prompts government to order detailed security reviews Ed O 2011

Sensing my despondence, my kids asked, 'What's up?'

Who Quits Before Race Day? Kevin Helliker 2011

It also cites "despondence and grumpiness as a means to gauge waning trustworthiness" in federal employees.

White House asks agencies to review data security 2011

I am truly glad to find you write with such firmness about the Boy and our mutual concerns, as I think it argues well for your self, you will perhaps return with another mind to your home, recover'd from that state of despondence in which you have so long been.

Letter 167 2009