Definitions
- Describing a state of low spirits or feeling downhearted. - Referring to a feeling of sadness or hopelessness that can be caused by disappointment, failure, or loss. - Talking about a mood of dejection or despair that can lead to a lack of motivation or energy.
- Referring to a feeling of despair or futility that can arise from a situation that seems impossible to change or improve. - Describing a sense of helplessness or powerlessness in the face of adversity or difficulty. - Talking about a state of mind that lacks optimism or positive expectations for the future.
List of Similarities
- 1Both words describe negative emotions and feelings.
- 2Both words can be caused by disappointment, failure, or loss.
- 3Both words can lead to a lack of motivation or energy.
- 4Both words can be associated with depression or anxiety.
- 5Both words can affect a person's outlook on life and the future.
What is the difference?
- 1Focus: Despondency emphasizes a feeling of sadness or low spirits, while hopelessness emphasizes a sense of despair or futility.
- 2Intensity: Hopelessness can be more intense than despondency and may involve a feeling of complete helplessness or powerlessness.
- 3Cause: Despondency can be caused by a variety of factors, including disappointment, failure, or loss, while hopelessness is often associated with situations that seem impossible to change or improve.
- 4Duration: Despondency can be a temporary feeling that comes and goes, while hopelessness can be a more persistent state of mind.
- 5Connotation: Despondency can be seen as a more passive emotion, while hopelessness can be associated with a more active sense of despair or resignation.
Remember this!
Despondency and hopelessness are synonyms that describe negative emotions and feelings. However, the difference between them lies in their focus, intensity, cause, duration, and connotation. Despondency is a feeling of sadness or low spirits that can be caused by various factors, while hopelessness is a sense of despair or futility that arises from situations that seem impossible to change or improve.